Club Champs Day 2- 10 Km 2010 - The Onaero Trot
We will look back on the Race Walking Season for 2010 and say “we had a lot of wind!” Luckily today was nothing like the Hawera Howler or the Bell Block Blast, but there were times out there today when you thought “what am I doing here?” for instance when it seemed like hail was falling or heading into a stiff wind as you went uphill. As Tony quite rightly pointed out, if he had been the starter today we would have been at least 5 minutes late and wouldn’t have got wet at all! To be honest conditions weren’t that bad, most of the course we had a cross wind or we were sheltered by the hedges. This is a good honest course that makes you work in the early parts, but then if you are fit, you have enough in the tank to really make use of the last 3K. Personally I enjoy this course (masochism is alive and well).
The club Champions over 10K were Eric in 56 minutes 4; Rachel in 57 minutes 28 and in the 5K for the 80 plus age group, Arthur did a superb time of 37m 33s.
It’s not so easy putting in a race report when the leaders leave you trailing in their wake and you don’t see them again until after the 5K turn (well after for them, but when I have done about 4.5K). At the start Harry and Eric took the lead followed closely by Rachel and Peter. Eric put the after burners on at about 2K and Rachel joined Harry for a chat (mind you even she was quiet at the 5.5K mark). Peter started conservatively today, but once he got going then it looked likely he would pull Harry in. It looked as though Eric was doing enough to win today, without racing flat out, but enough to make him a deserved Champion once again. Rachel and Harry continued to race side by side until about 8K, but then Rachel decided to show him his place and went on to come home in second overall but Women’s champion again. Harry did a superb time, taking nearly 90 seconds off his PB to finish in 57m34s and second man overall.
The usual battle ensued between Vanessa, Mike and Jeff. Vanessa just toyed with them; in the end she had too much power and was second woman home overall. Mike and Jeff meanwhile continued the wrestle and with 2K to go Mike must have thought he had the better of Jeff as he took the lead. Sorry Mike, you know how wily he is – he let you do the work for a time and then powered up the hill with a K to go and managed to beat Mike by 14 seconds – good racing guys.
Today’s theme is wind – Sandra got her second wind! My usual battle with Marlene was happening, with Sandra in the mix as well. At 1.25K I heard the usual grumbles about hills so dug it in for the next 2K gradual climb. I thought, I have enough of a lead on Marlene today and Sandra won’t be fit enough for this course – whoops – Yeah right! At the 5K turn, Marlene was 10 metres behind me and Sandra another 30 metres back telling me she was coming after me! Sandra managed to pass me with 3K to go and looked like she would also get Tony. Welcome back Sandra, I hope you beat me and Tony in every race as your fitness improves; it’s been a hard time for you battling the injuries. Sandra didn’t quite catch Tony this time, but I did manage to hold Marlene out!
This event also earns points towards the Points Trophy. After Serena’s event I thought the trophy was on the way to Helen, but who could have written a better script than what we now have. We may have to get the rule book out, because it could actually end up a tie! Helen and Mike are now both on 42 points, with Arthur, Harry and Tom all on 40 points. Only 2 events left, so the 5 of you had better make sure you do the Pukekura event next weekend, followed by the half marathon the week after.
Results
