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Event One: “Karori Circuit” – The Wind Turbine, Makara Hill (South Karori), Johnstons Hill, 18 May 2008

By David Colquhoun

The first of the 2008 series was held on a fine, relatively calm, but coldish day. 105 people entered. That is only the second time we have got into three figures, which suggests the event is becoming an established part of winter running in the capital. Certainly everyone seemed to enjoy themselves – even the ones who ended up running much further than they wanted to. It was a course which it was rather easy to get lost if you had not done much pre-race research.

Seldom has a course created such debate. Many different tracks and strategies were tried, and despite the animated talk afterwards there was still not much consensus. The main discussion was over the various track options between the windmill and Makara, and there were several of them. But some are still convinced the quickest way was not to do a circle at all but to instead take advantage of the faster running on the roads – going from the windmill to Johnsons, then to Makara via the skyline before dropping down to come back home via Karori Road (or vice versa).

Glenn Hughes, recent runner-up to Jonathon Wyatt at the National Mountain Running Championships, had an easy win, leaving his pack well behind at Makara. Julian Cook was second and Stephen Day was a yard or so in front of his bunch, to take third. Among the women, the Anderson twins finally found that a bit of pre-race research pays off and were easy winners, with Sally-Ann Spencer heading a sprint finish for third.

For the organising team, it was hectic at the start, with nearly everyone wanting to register and start at 8am. Thanks especially to the marshals Bart and Daphne Jones, Ray Marten and Emma Brooks on the peaks, and Leanne Palmer who gave out drinks at the Makara end of the Skyline. At home base, Des Young, Lotty Turnidge, Richard Brent and Mandy Simpson kept things running smoothly. Particular thanks to Lotty for organising the particularly fine spread. Soon people will be entering just for the food – at $6 it is the cheapest brunch in town. As always our sponsors deserve your support – Lifestyle Sports, Bivouac Outdoor and Lake Autos (Petone) with Repco. And a special thanks, too, to the Wellington City Council Parks Department.

The next one is a bit easier, although it does have the series’ biggest hill – the classic grind up to the Hawkins radar station, and one of the best views of Wellington from there to the windmill.

In the table, W = walker.  Three Peaks