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Loaded Hog 5k Race, Autumn Series, Race 6, Queens Wharf, 8 April 2008 (Final results)

Well, we’ve arrived at the final race for the season of waterfront 5k events during 2007-08 season. The southerly was brisk (especially noticed by officials standing static), but the 76 participants engaged mostly enjoyed the tail wind on the homeward leg of tonight’s race. On the whole, individual times were of a high quality with no less than 14 lifetime PBs and 18 season’s best performances. I’m pretty sure many gave everything they had – knowing no more 5k races for four months or so.

Walkers: Mainlander Dean Crowley returned to win the race walk overall and take first place male in a good time of 29:14. Tim Dutton took second place with a SPB time of 29:42 (stringing two sub-30 minutes together) and third place went to John Leonard who walked a lifetime PB in 32:33. In the women’s race, Terri Grimmett was fastest tonight with a winning time of 33:18. Frances Le Fort, heading off at the optional early start time, took second place in 35:26 with Carol Brieseman grabbing third place in a time of 36:17. In only her second race, Carley Boomer shaved nearly 3 minutes off last week’s time for a very good sub-40-minute time.

Runners: The heat was on all the way. However, youth prevailed over experience this evening with a mad dash rush for the line just won by Jesse Patel in a good time of 16:17. Second, with the same time posted, was Matt Mintrom in a lifetime personal best effort which was made more meritorious as he stopped briefly to make sure a fellow runner (who had fallen) was OK. Third place went to Brian Garmonsway who narrowly missed a SPB with a time of 16:35. Next home was a slightly despondent Todd Stevens. I heard later that the young lads used him as their bunny on the way out – great race tactics by the youngsters, as Todd is one of best pace judges in the business.

The women’s race saw a battle between many of Scottish’s Masters Women’s A Team. Coming out on top was the experience of Bernie Portenski (fresh to the series) and in great form to run a season’s best time over 5k in 18:21. Not far away in second was Lotty Turnidge with a good time of 18:39 and third place went to young Lizzie Middleton who ran 19:07, which was a nice improvement on her first ever Hog 5k race last week (19:21).

Congratulations to those athletes who ran lifetime PBs this evening – notably Peter McCorkindale (not satisfied in breaking through the 20-minute barrier over the last weeks but taking a huge 48s off again tonight); young Chris Homan (broke through the magical 20 minute barrier -18s); Peter Plowman (also breaking the targeted 20 minute barrier for the first time ever – just as was planned for a last race finale and a 13s chunk off); Ed Sargisson (in the best form of his life shaved 33s off his PB set just a matter of weeks ago); Stuart Holden (yet another PB for Series 3 with a huge reduction of 1 m 33s) and also young Charlotte Shearman (who ran some 2 minutes faster than in any of her lifetime 5ks to date). Congrats to everyone who ran a Lifetime PB on this last chance for the season and also to everyone who ran season’s best times as well.

Thanks to Dan Powell, Todd Stevens, Bruce and Noeleen Perry, Roisin Doherty (turnaround) and Mandy Simpson. As echoed by David Lonsdale at the prize-giving later – a BIG THANK YOU to all Scottish members who have helped officiate the 27 races throughout the season, as well as Paul Rodway behind the scenes.

A special vote of thanks to our sponsors:

It’s been great to have The Loaded Hog as our naming right sponsor for the past season’s and I’m sure I speak for all participants when I state how great it is to be able to come inside for some warmth, a recovery beverage plus a great atmosphere to meet and talk with fellow competitors. In addition to the regular weekly spot prizes, with the support of the Hog, it was great to be able to award nine special $50 gift vouchers tonight – at the conclusion of our three series of races spanning eight months – 27 races in all. These were shared by regulars over the season – drawn randomly at this evening’s prize-giving – I shall be contacting all winners so that your voucher can be mailed out (if you were not there on the night to collect it). Lucky recipients were:

Ed Sargisson, Brent Gilchrist, Alan Brian, John Leonard, Margareth Attwood, Reon Symon, Paul Rodway, Tim Dutton, and Karaka Tuhakaraina.

Yet another Loaded Hog $50 voucher was awarded to a Wellington Corporate, PricewaterhouseCoopers, who have sponsored a great team of employees over the past couple of race series. All their staff have been great ambassadors – mostly running adorned in tops with the PwC logo – and it was great to see them all enjoying themselves for an extended social gathering at the Hog after the race and spending their hard-earned Hog vouchers.

Not content just winning gift vouchers and a bottle of wine (spot prize) but both the Lifestyle Sport - Tawa Dressmart Store – special recognition prizes also both went to PwC employees. These prizes were again randomly drawn from all the individual participants who had run lifetime PBs over the three series of races (provided they had run in at least five races in total). The winners were:

Ladies – “New” Saucony Running Shoes              Rachel Wards

Men      - “New” Mizuno Running Shoes               Simon Holmes   

Lastly, as race organiser, I personally congratulated a number of athletes who showed total commitment to their running/walking and the Loaded Hog Series of races. With my compliments, bottles of wine went to;

Ron Zonneveld – competed in 17 races out of a possible 27 but never missed a week from the time he registered for his first race back in October 2007.

Paul Homan – competed in 21 races out of a possible 27 (travelling from Hutt Valley each Tuesday) and has been a solid supporter of these races for many years now

Hannah Minot – competed in 21 races out of a possible 27 (however, missed the last three as she has travelled to Italy with her partner). Probably would have been 24 races – we’ll never know!

Jason Waite     - competed in 22 races out of 27 (however, missed just two races since registering for his first ever race). But that’s not all – Jason has worked hard and reduced his time from 19:39 down to a huge 16:51 over that six-month period – with only himself and motivation/undivided support from Dad (Mike) and no formal training plan. Great stuff Jason!

Jeremy Pitt      - competed in a mammoth 23 races out of 27 – Jeremy has to be accorded the “most committed” athlete within the series and not only this but he also reduced his race times from the mid-19 minutes down to a lifetime PB of just under 17 minutes (16:58 in fact). Just goes to show – practice makes perfect! Congrats, Jeremy!  

Lastly, it’s been great to meet nearly 500 people over the course of the year – many of whom are now friends or have made new friendships with others from within the series of races. But don’t let it end there!

It’s been great also to see nearly 35 guests have come along to Scottish Harriers over the past two weeks (open days for April) and join our huge member turnout for a pack runs around Wellington ’s pathways, tracks and trails. Again, we extend a warm welcome to all Loaded Hog 5k participants who wish to join us on any Saturday – an open day for friends and guests for a pack run from our Prince of Wales Park clubrooms. Remember: if you participate in the Hog 5k, we will have a pack going out at your pace. Come and see what really happens at a running/walking club. E-mail me; Jim@RainbowFinancial.net.nz for more info (if you still have doubts) – just do it!

Jim Kerr
Race Series Organiser
Wellington Scottish Athletics Club

Loaded Hog page | Cumulative Autumn Series | Cumulative Summer results | Cumulative Spring results