Pukekura Wind Down 2006
This is the final event for the Season, 1 mad final dash to try to burgle that last win for the points trophy. The rain of winter has gone and the sandbags are thrown away to try to deceive the Handicapper. He’s wise to all this and in fact did the burgling himself the previous year! The conditions were absolutely perfect, no wind, temperature just right for racing. We knew we were in for some really smart times on this one. Added to that, there was a new start, no climb up Gover Street hill, but a nice flat start (we’re getting soft!)
There were the usual moans before the start about handicap times, so next year a new formula will be introduced; there will be handicap plus MAT (Moaning added tax). This year we have worked off the formula of Handicap less RWD (Red wine discount).
The gun went and the first walker was away, then progressively everyone else according to handicap time. Last off the blocks was Eric Kemsley, 19 minutes behind his wife, who he still managed to catch with a 100 metres to go!
This race proved to be a Timekeeper’s nightmare, the handicapper had got it right and the whole field bunched up in the last few hundred metres. In the men’s race Wayne proved too good followed by Tony and Denis. Fastest time went to Eric. In the Women’s race, Marion held out a fast finishing Vanessa with the smiling assassin (Marlene) in a close third. The fastest time was Natasha in 28 minutes 34 (but only 5 seconds ahead of her mother!) I am sure everyone is looking forward to next week’s tussle between them in the half marathon. In the Vets section, Richard was on fire and it’s great to see that his health is on the improve, a deserved winner over a fast finishing Ivor and then Brian. Arthur once again did the fastest time in an incredible 35 minutes 25.
Well that’s it the season is over, thank you to everyone for the excellent racing and wonderful company during the year. I hope most of you will be able to make the track this season – Inglewood Tuesday nights – 6:30 start date of 24th October. The track will help with your speed, so on second thoughts there are too many beating me now and others getting closer.
I have been impressed with the vibrancy of the club this year; the new members have just slotted in and gone from strength to strength. Some of the stalwarts of the club have turned in some fantastic results with a new lease of life as others come along and give them a push.
Well done Katie, your times have improved all season a 33’29 in this 5K is a great achievement. Denis Hastie, 32’10 for the last event of the year knew you had the ability – sort those shin problems and no reason you can’t push 30 minutes within a year. Gordon, great that you have joined us this year – 32’01 today for a man of your years is just great. Lorraine, Julie, Valda, Anne and Kim you have all been added assets for the club, hope you have enjoyed it and will return next year.
Sandra has obviously worked hard all season and to consistently do 57 minutes or under is just reward for your efforts – sub 56 next year? Rachel is obviously on the comeback trail, which can only be good for the club – her style of walking is a joy to watch – so could be sub 60 minutes next year? The improvement of the season though is Natasha, last year she did 32’20 for the final 5k, this year she managed 28’34. We really hope that you continue your race walking next year when you head to Wellington, you have a great future if you want to do the work, Race Walking in New Zealand certainly needs you in the future as well.
Well that’s it other than a comment from Ivor. He can’t understand why he seems to be getting slower. Obviously not his age, because at 83 he should be getting faster! He even proved it himself today – he did the 5K in 39 minutes 52 seconds – that’s 27 seconds faster than last year’s event! Well done Ivor, secret training!
