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By David Colquhoun

The first of the 2007 series proved the most popular yet. 113 people entered, which is most we have ever had. Perhaps the beautiful weather on Saturday helped. Unfortunately by Sunday morning, Hawkins Hill was in cloud, and a very strong northerly made the ridgeline very hard work. But everyone still seemed to enjoy themselves.

First runner home was Ross Morrison in a very sharp 1:30. Four runners shared second place: Ramon Steenson, and a trio from the Marathon Clinic, Gordon Clarke, Aubrey Rota and James Stevenson. Jacinda Papps was first woman, in 1.55, not far in front of the Anderson twins, Sally and Helen.

These three peaks proved a good combination, with a mixture of trail and road and a lot of different navigational options. A few managed to somehow miss the marshals up on Hawkins who were, as most found out, up by the trig beside the radar station. If you are one of those who missed them and we have recorded you as not making it to Hawkins then let us know and we will amend the results.

No one, however, made as big a blunder as the competitor (who will remain nameless) who arrived at the finish a bit disgruntled at there being no marshal at Mt Albert. He had checked right along the ridgeline. Unfortunately, Mt Albert was not one of the peaks this year. It was Mt Alfred, which is in a different place.

Thanks especially to the helpers, Leeane Palmer at Mt Alfred, Emma Brooks and Mary Lynch at Hawkins Hill and David Lonsdale at the Te Rauparaha Memorial, Richard Brent, Chris Harp, Bart and Daphne Jones, and Lotty and Brett Turnidge at home base (and especially for Lotty’s fine home baking).

Thanks also to our sponsors: Bivouac Outdoor for the best outdoor clothing in Wellington , Lifestyle Sports out at Dressmart in Tawa for very cheap running shoes, and Lake Autos Petone/Repco Petone for your car servicing. Thanks also to the Parks Department of Wellington City Council who have been very helpful.

The next event in the series in on 17 June. It is the traditional easy one, a week before the Wellington half marathon, with three comparatively moderate hills. See you all there.

PS The results table below incorporates corrections.

W = walker, below.