Sandra's Safari 2007
This year there was a change of course. We as a club had become soft and no longer were we going to venture up Clarke’s road. Other than the “hills are our friends” brigade, most people were in agreement that as a Race Walking event, the hill was too steep for proper racing. The scenery once you got to the top was spectacular, but was the journey getting there worth it? We are now looking for a new name for this event – the Lincoln Loiter, Sandra’s Saunter? Anyway, suggestions please.
The vast majority really enjoyed this race. Initially when you say to someone you are going to do 2 or 4 laps for a 5K or 10K, they think, how boring! In a handicap event this is certainly not the case. By starting on handicap in an event like this, you are chasing the ones ahead of you, but also frequently see those chasing you. It makes you work harder when you see the gap closing ahead or behind. Whatever our speed, we are all competitive and work hard to not be passed. This course was actually quite challenging. We probably had nearly as much uphill overall as the previous event, we didn’t get it all in one go. What made it even harder was the fact we actually raced 5.3K or 10.6K.
Sometimes it appears that a Handicapper has messed up in a race. I am very thankful that people very rarely criticise me when someone either burgles an event or they finish way behind the rest. Sometimes I get it wrong, but most times there are mitigating circumstances. If somebody has been sick or had a hard walk the day before an event, I cannot make allowances. I look at performances going back this season and last. If somebody has not walked this season I can only go on what they were doing last year. If somebody has been injured, I will make a gradual allowance as they make a comeback, but I cannot be too lenient, because they will suddenly be back at their competitive best and burgle. To me a handicap event should be won by a special effort on the day. Where somebody is getting fitter and faster as the season progresses, then they will often feature in the top placings. This is currently happening with Rachel and Dave Wackrow. Both are currently racing very well and were rewarded with first place in the Men’s and Women’s events. Denis Hastie and Alan Clarke were second and third in the men’s event. Marlene White and Anne Fraser took the other placings in the women’s race. Fastest times were Eric Kemsley and Denise Stewart-Jacks.
In the Master’s event, Ivor once again proved too strong. Brian O’Shea was second and Arthur third. Arthur had fastest time of the day. Ivor’s time was remarkable – he did 41’16 for 5.3K, which equates to 38’56 for 5K.
Thank you to Sandra and family for a superb morning tea, always a pleasure coming out to your part of the Taranaki countryside.
Results:
