Marton to Whanganui Relay 2009

Marton to Whanganui Relay 2009: Michelle's Commentary

Memorable Marton moments from Michelle

My second opportunity to do this event although throughout the day there were still some firsts. First of the firsts, Tanya, Vanessa, Lorraine and myself travelled down on Friday night to sample the delights of Marton by night, this was my first time ever to Marton so you can imagine the excitement level as we got ever closer, then we were downtown Marton and two seconds later we weren’t. The most delightful thing was that it wasn’t raining there and our motel was very spacious and clean. After a superb dinner supplied by Tanya and Vanessa we retired in readiness for our early start. A fine mild morning greeted us and without too much trouble we located the starting point of our big day out. Well it didn’t take long to realise why the lads had always been keen to travel down the night before, the first two legs of the relay are very enjoyable. Lorraine and I know that Vanessa and Tanya like to chase and mow down their fellow competitors so we (at great personal hardship to our own competitive spirit and excessive speed ability) walked at a pace that allowed a few people to be in front once V and T started their legs. The excited way they swapped stories of how many and who they’d passed made Lorraine and my sacrifice in the first leg all worthwhile. Onwards to have meet and greet with our fellow team mates who had left in wet weather, we graciously shared the fine day we’d brought with us from Marton.

The weather remained kind to us, our two teams were close throughout the whole day which made supporting everyone very easy and it was a great fun-filled day. Some of the changeover techniques were quite unique, variations on the “Ivor move” were evident, not sure if Tony has them on camera or not. Sadly I don’t think Arthur doing spin outs in the gravel in Tony’s car were recorded, Arthur tried to put it down to being in an unfamiliar car but boy that was a wide grin on his face, strangely his passengers didn’t share that grin! We did a spot of piglet herding along a gravel road, pigs are about as intelligent as sheep when it comes to getting out of the way of traffic. No bacon was created in the process although there was ham in our buns. Dave B did get left behind at one point, although with his pink sticky buns to use as a bribe I’m sure he would have found a ride if his team mates hadn’t gone back for him.

Tanya has the makings of being a very good walking coach; a chappie from an opposition team was having trouble walking and kept on breaking into a run. This was a tad upsetting to out Dave W who was up against him but all Tanya had to do was drive slowly along in her car keeping this chap in her sights and miraculously his run became a walk.

So we may not have won the relay but great company, exceptional club spirit, shared food and laughter, beautiful scenery with lambs frolicking amongst the daffodils made this a day to treasure.

Walk Teams

1Magic6.36.37

2Scottish Harriers Flyers 6.59.13

3Manawatu Striders 7.15.20

4TRW Naki Thunder 7.43.37

5TRW Naki Lightening 7.43.38