Alan's Comments
Wow – fantastic turnout of twenty nine walkers on Anzac Day. I think a new name for this event is appropriate. It was certainly not a Saunter; instead there were some pretty hot times, so perhaps we need to rename this one as Sandra’s Scorcher. This type of course is perfect for Open handicap racing; because everybody can see the race developing it makes everybody work harder to catch those in front or hold off those chasing you. The weather was absolutely perfect for racing today, about 17 degrees with enough humidity to ensure you had a bit of perspiration but not too much to make you expire.
Now I think I need to dispel any rumours before they start. There is some truth in the fact I was offered a case of red, a case of white and some other sorts of favours; but I can assure you all I am squeaky clean. Now who won the points today, ummm Sandra followed by Rachel, just coincidence I can assure you!
There was the usual banter before the race started about people not racing because they were doing Rotorua the following week and other rubbish like that. The times achieved don’t really show too much sand bagging, in fact the opposite. In the 10K race it looked for most of the race that Kathleen was going to be first home, but others had different ideas. Mike fresh from his scorching pace the previous race was soon in hot pursuit of Rachel, but she seemed determined to ward off his advances. Peter, now known as the flying Fox, flew through the field – very different to last year where he only managed 5K! Sandra (fantastic to see you back) seemed to be in cruise mode, but you knew she wouldn’t let Rachel past without a fight! Just to add spice to the mix was a new comer who seemed determined to win his first event. Harry just went from the gun and tried to catch everyone in the first 4K! In the end Sandra managed to hold out Rachel by 8 seconds with Harry a further 7 seconds back. Kathleen held the lead until about a half K to go held on for 4th. Eric was fastest man in 55m 8s (but careful the flying fox was only a minute behind). Rachel was fastest woman in 60m 15s.
In the Master’s event, Tom seemed to like the flatter course and held off a fast finishing Arthur by 30 seconds. Arthur though got fastest time of the day in 36m 28s – only 5 seconds slower than 2 years ago – well done Arthur!
We had 4 juniors racing today and showing us how to race walk – gee it looks easy. Hannah was first in the G9 doing 1K in 7m 51s. Nicole in the G10 took 7m 43s for 1K. Deanna (G12) managed 15m 14s for 2K and Renee did 26m 59s for 4K. Well done girls.
Many thanks to all the helpers today, Time keepers were Trevor and Sue; Water girl was Mary, Brian was chief camera man and Colin judged. Thank you to Sandra, Neville and Teresa for the morning tea.
There was also an informal race over 6K – Joelle was easily the winner of this with Vanessa and Tanya trailing her by 8 minutes! Just no contest!
Brian's Comments
Well what a crowd turned out today at Sandra’s, I believe we had 29 walking which is the biggest crowd for a long while and that doesn’t count those officiating. It was also pleasing to see there, a number who only finished a half marathon last week and are doing a marathon next week. “Just taking it easy today” some said, but to me it didn’t look like Wackie, Jeff and Alan were taking it easy, however with all the training they have been doing, maybe it was just a stroll for them?
It was very gratifying to see four young walkers on the start up line today, well five if you count Hannah’s friend, who had to ‘lift’ occasionally to keep up with her and again a long time since that happened. Not only are they very young but they all have very distinctive legal race walking styles and are a pleasure to watch, so well done Mums and Granddad. Despite the roughly four years difference in ages between the youngest three, there is not very much difference in their times and I look forward to seeing the competition between them flourish during the season.
We welcome another new member Harry, for today’s race, to join the other two new members, Joelle & Helen; that’s one new member an event so far, if it carries on like this we will double the size of the club by the end of the season. That said, back to the race.
Like practically all our races nowadays it was handicapped and we welcome back Alan to do this thankless task after his year’s sabbatical. He’s not taking very long to get the handicaps right as there was a race to the finish by about half the field; great for the walkers and spectators but not so good for Sue and Trevor who have to get the times of each finisher and record it before the next crosses the line.
To the chorus of “Go Mum” Sandra crossed the line first just ahead of little sister Rachael and new member Harry and as I said a swag of others closely following. There were interesting little tactics and battles amongst various members during the race, whilst others were content to do their own thing.
It was a new course this year being of 2km laps and quite testing and although there were knee wobbling inclines nothing that you couldn’t racewalk up and nobody had to stop this year to let the cows cross the road.
What can I recall of the race, well there was Tanya and Vanessa with tongues going 100mph and legs only going 2mph. Tanya preparing for next weeks marathon and Vanessa nursing a damaged derriere. Helen & Michelle were under orders to take it easy and Marlene to give it heaps. Peter must be doing some secret training as he managed to stave off Eric’s challenge but both worked really hard to do this. Mike & Tony are after challenging me for the noisiest walker in the club as they gasped their way passed me. Tom with his hand still bandaged up although not in a sling like last week spent his race trying to catch Arthur who as usual quietly made headway against those in front. I don’t think Arthur breathes during a race because there is no sound from him; Tony, Mike, me take note.
Our youngsters were doing different distances today from oldest to youngest 4km(Renee), 2km(Deanna) and 1km(Nicole & Hannah + mate). The youngest three’s time worked out to 7.22, 7.43 & 7.51 which supports what I said earlier. I have now got to work out how I can beat an 8 year old; I know I’ll take Hannah’s shoes off her.
Renee who is overcoming a bout of sickness walked her 4km with Marlene tagging on alongside but despite giving it her all she tired with a few hundred metres to go and had to let Marlene go to chase her Mum. Still she didn’t give in and determination was all over her face to overcome the pain to finish fast, well done Renee.
Marlene overtook Dave and then Sandra but try as she might she just couldn’t shake them off. Dave was particularly annoying because as she opened the gap she had a hill to climb and there he was right behind her again by the top. Sandra quietly stayed just behind the pair of them and about 100m into the last lap and accompanied by Harry passed her on the hill and then slowly opened the gap to about 200m by the finish of the race. Dave ended up still behind Marlene but not by much.
Denise forsook her partner Francis this time and desperately tried to hold off Kathleen (who has returned back to the club after a couple years off with injury) to no avail. People like Wackie, Jeff, Alan, Mike, Phil, Rachel, Helen, Joelle, Serena & Tony seemed to walk on their own for most of the time but mostly had someone in their sights a few hundred metres ahead. How they got on to catch the one up front I really wouldn’t know as I was stuck in the one place videoing. I know that Rachel going into her last lap was concerned about all the blokes chasing her down. She hadn’t had that many men chasing her since she was single.
I think everyone liked this new course as you could always see people on it that you could either chase or work out how far they were now ahead of you.
Thanks go to Sue & Trevor for timekeeping, Mary on the water station ably helped by, Nichol, Deanna, Hannah + friend and Renee’s friend. It just goes to show how old I’m getting when I can’t remember a pretty girl’s name. Sandra for her hospitality, one armed Theresa somehow organising the kitchen and Colin for keeping a watchful eye on the walking on display.
Before the race, the new club tent was erected, I say tent but it’s more like a small hall and won’t the other clubs be envious in Wellington & elsewhere when it’s put up there with our club name in big white letters. The beauty of it, is that four people can put it up in seconds, I can see us getting a lot of use out of it for many years to come. A photo of it is on our web site.
We will in future have to have the video playing the race as soon as everyone is in the house having their nibbles otherwise it’s a pointless exercise. What I recorded today from ‘on high’ showed every walker coming, going and passing across whereby they could all see what could be wrong with their technique.
Michelle after watching the video mentioned that it might be a good idea if we passed on comments to people whilst they raced. What do people think of that one? Let us know at the Norm Read.
Finally, congratulations must go to Renee on winning the Stan Lay Award. She now joins a list of distinguished club walkers who have won this coveted trophy, the 9th in fact. The last time a club walker won this prize was in 1994 and I hang my head in shame because arriving late at the awards I missed this great occasion and had to read about it in the Daily News.
Results and Photos Double click on photo to see full size:
