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Bays Relay, Interclub 5-lap Relay, Island Bay to Kilbirnie, and Walkers' 5k Turkey Trot, Island Bay to Lyall Bay, 11 August 2007 

Bays Relay 2007

For the first time in my memory, ghastly weather: bursts of rain, and a cold, gusty 140kph northwesterly. Triumph for the Scottish senior women's team (Alice Wilson, Natalie Smith, Jacinda Papps, Aubrey Begley and Tina Harris) with a first over Wellington Harriers. 

Our senior men's A team (Matt Dravitzki, Tim Hodge, Joseph Bulbulia, James Coubrough and Scott Ferguson) and B team were first and second in their race (Tim Hodge's 13:51 on lap 2 came within 10 seconds of Matt Dravitzki's lap record) with WHAC third. Masters women were first (Bev Hodge, Helen WIllis, Pam Graham, Allison Henderson, and Anne Hare). Our junior men's A team was beaten by WHAC, while the Scottish junior women's A team took second place in their grade behind WHAC.  All up, 64 teams entered, a good lift over last year's 49. Scottish entered 24 teams. 

Final point for now: it appears as if we need to tune up our relay skills. We all need to make sure we know when we have to be at the changeover point AND BE THERE. It's very frustrating to slog into the wind to get to Shelly Bay exhausted and find no one there. This happened twice today in the masters men's grade. A couple of obvious ploys: Warm up by running back into the previous lap, not into the lap you are going to run; better still, know when the previous runner began and when she or he is likely to finish the lap and be there waiting in plenty of time!

Relay results (Provisional - Wellington Harriers) | Bays Relay 2006

Three views of the Bays Relay: Anne Hare (MWA) closes in on the finish; at Scorching Bay, officials Sylvia and Peter Maunder look to the south, backs to the wind, taking times and team numbers (Sylvia is a member of WHAC and the chair of Athletics Wellington, while Peter is associated with Scottish, the AW Track and Field Committee, and he surveys our road courses); finally, part way through lap 1, Matt Dravitzki (SMA) and Brendon Blacklaws (M19A) tussle over the lead. Photos by Chris Hare, Paul Rodway and Gordon Blacklaws.

Turkey Trot 2007

By Geoff Henry, WHAC, organiser/referee

Staunch were the hearts of the 20 brave souls who lined up for the start at 10:30 of the morn. Boldly they set forth, scorning the boisterous wind and modest showers that greeted them. For a moment, as they entered the (almost) sheltered lee of the Southgate Hill, all seemed most promising. Alas!  By Houghton Bay the showers became torrents and the wind roared down the valley with unabated fury. Princess Bay brought only the slightest respite, for as they entered Lyall Bay, the fury increased and buffeted them to the finish.

“Good cheer,” quoth the organiser/referee (from the safety of his car), “for the rain has settled the sands and you won’t get dust in your eyes!”

“Going well,” cried John Turner, the timekeeper (safely tucked in his car!).

“C’mon,” called Sevana Minassian (also safely in her car, having again missed the start with cunning aforethought).

And so to the finish they strode (or staggered, or crawled!): 14 Scottish “Scots of the Antarctic,” three Bold Olympians, a whacky WHAC and Wainui, and a staunchly independent.

Peter Baillie was the fastest, followed by Alison Samson, and Kevin Watson. Alas, for their efforts; they had not allowed enough for the wind!

Cunning John Hines was only four seconds over his estimate.

Paula Binkhorst was nine seconds over, Melanie Watson 11 seconds over, and Bart and Daphne 18 seconds under.

Champers for John and Paula, chocs for Melanie and a box to share for the Joneses!

Worst estimate was Luke Guyton (curiously relying too much on the advice of the cunning John!).