Southland Harriers eNewsletter

Southland Athletics Crosss-Country Championships

Te Anau

Fifty-Nine hearty soles, stood on the start line, in Ivon Wilson Park, Te Anau on Saturday. A precarious, challenging, stunning, thoughtful and varied course designed by Shaun Cantwell and the Fiordland Club.

The speed, agility, and grit of the Southland Harriers on the day and the epic support of the families and volunteers made for one of the most challenging Championship events for years. Thank you Fiordland Athletics Club for supporting the day, both on the course and at the afternoon tea. As always Fiordland put on an outstanding day for all.

The junior race, was dominated by the yellow St.Paul singlet thanks to the Ah Kuoi, Hall and Flower Families. This did not make anything any less exciting for our top junior grade, with Hunter dominating the 4km distance, and only 4 seconds separating CJ Iversens (2nd-Invercargill) and Brodie McIlwrick (3rd-Winton). Runners from Gore and Fiordland, round out the field of 20, running 3 seperate distances.

A special shout out to the un-registered runners, and first timers, we hope that despite the tough conditions you got to have a bit of fun out there!!

The Senior Race and Masters race was one for the spectators, especially the finish line……

It was a wet start, and as the weather eased and cleared, a 6km Champ was cresting the final hill, first runner home, James Webber took out the win by 40 seconds. Hudson Roy representing Wyndham and Cayden Sanginti, St. Pauls followed in 2nd and 3rd. Keeping close to to the top guns, may or may have not been the strategy, but as the 9km runners peeled off for their last lap, all three were quick to cross the finish line, in the largest field of runners, those completing the 6kms.

In the women's field Sienna Mackley and Millie McFadzien completed the first lap together, a fantastic effort, and two took out the womens field, maybe not with ease as nothing in Cross-Country is easy, but as clear champions. Sienna (Queenstown) made her move in the second lap, clearing the finish line first, followed by Millie (Gore), and in 3rd Aimee Hall (St.Pauls).

The 9kms distance, was definitely the race to watch and stacked with white Fiordland Club t-shirts. Again a Southland Athletics championship event was dominated by Hunter Gough and Dwight Grieve, and again these two phenomenal runners raced side by side until the final seconds. Hunter took out the Senior Male trophy in a time of 32:34, followed 3 seconds later by the Master trophy winner Dwight. Sagar Khemani was 3rd across the line (a Fiordland whitewash). In the women's field again the Fiordland singlet was everywhere, with some outstanding running from Rebecca Vella-King, who is always smiling, and A-plus effort by Paige Grieve.

For those who haven't noticed, their is a very friendly rivalry going on between St. Pauls and Fiordland this year, last year ended in a tie between the two clubs for both the male and female shields. This year St.Pauls took out both shields, thanks to the number of junior and “older” runners taking out medals in their grade.

Saying that no one can take away the fantastic Fiordland Club results, taking out 9 out of the top 10 place over the Male 9km distance.

RESULTS

Under 10 Boys: 1st-Kye Ah Kuoi, 2nd-Ash Hall, 3rd-Archie Davies

Under 12 Girls: 1st-Mahli Ah Kuoi, 2nd-Chloe Hall

Under 14 Boys: 1st-Sean Iversen

Under 14 Girls: 1st-Freya Gilmour, 2nd-Holly Hall

Under 16 Boys: 1st-Hunter Flowers, 2nd-CJ Iversen, 3rd-Brodie Mcilwrick

Under 16 Girls: Lily Wiegersma

Under 18 Men: 1st-Hudson Roy, 2nd-Cayden Sanginit, 3rd-Logan Jordaan

Under 20 Men: 1st-James Webber, 2nd-Floyd Keach-Lowe, 3rd-William Berkers

Under 20 Women: 1st-Sienna Mackley, 2nd-Millie McFadzien, 3rd-Kate Perkins

Senior 20-34 Men: 1st-Hunter Gough, 2nd-Sagar Khemani, 3rd-Scott Underhay

Senior 20-34 Women: 1st-Rebecca Vella-King, 2nd Paige Grieve

Master 35-49 Men: 1st-Dwight Grieve, 2nd-Richard Ford, 3rd-Jared Graham

Master 35-49 Women: 1st-Aimee Hall, 2nd-Nicole Jackson, 3rd-Cassandra Horton

Master 50-59 Men: 1st-Grant Baker

Master 60-69 Men: 1st-John Wallace, 2nd-Bruce Thomson

Master 60-69 Women: 1st-Debbie Telfer

Master 70 plus Women: 1st-Linda Te Au

A huge thanks to all non-club runners who joined us, and produced some fantastic results across all the age groups. We hope to see you all in a club singlet soon!!