Vosseler Shield

99th Vosseler Shield Mountain Races Centenary Celebration 1923-2023

Matairangi Mount Victoria, Wellington
Saturday 27 May 2023

Venue

Race headquarters are at the WHAC Clubrooms, 164 Alexandra Rd. All races start, and finish, on the grassed area (mountain biking area) which is below and to the east of the WHAC clubrooms.

Course description

The course covers bush tracks and rocky trails with steep uphill/downhill gradients. The entire race is off-road except for road crossings on Mt Victoria.

There are 54 races run over four distances ranging from 1.1km for boys and girls to 10km for seniors and masters runners.

Road crossings are marshalled and subject to traffic management controls.

Race times

• 12.40pm — 5km with an elevation gain of 203m. For senior women | masters women 35 | masters women 50 | masters women 60 | masters women 65 | masters women 70+ masters men 60 | masters men 65 | masters men 70+ and non-championship 5k men 20-59

• 1.35pm — 3km with an elevation gain of 104m. For junior women WU20 | women WU18 | girls GU16 junior men MU20 | men MU18 | boys BU16

• 2.00pm — 1.1km with an elevation gain of 47 metres. For girls GU14 | girls GU12 | girls GU10 
• 2.10pm — 1.1km with an elevation gain of 47 metres. For boys BU14 | boys BU12 | boys BU10

• 2.30pm — 10km with an elevation gain of 398 metres. For senior men | masters men 35 | masters men 50 and non-championship 10k women 20+.

Entry information

Athletics New Zealand Sanctioned Event

Only Athletics NZ registered athletes who are financial full competition members in the ANZ GameDay database are eligible to compete. Athletes must be financial in GameDay by midnight Thursday 25 May 2023 in order to compete.

Race bibs

You must be financial in ANZ GameDay as stated above to receive a race bib. If you are financial by Friday 20 May, you will receive a personalised race bib. If you are financial after 19 May and up to 25 May, you will receive a temporary race bib, which must be returned after the race. Race bib pick up is at the WHAC clubrooms on race day, 28 May from 11:30am. No postal or email entries from Athletics Wellington clubs. Other clubs to email entries to the race director by 256 May.

Athletes must collect their race bib from their club representative at the WHAC clubrooms at least 30mins prior to the start of their race. No current bib and timing chip means you will not be recorded in the results.

Race bibs will again be used for each of the four (4) interclub races. The bibs will have Athletics Wellington timing chips and must be worn on the front of the athlete’s club singlet. Timing chips must be left securely on the front of the bibs.

Age Grades and Club Uniform

Age on 31 December 2022; except masters’ grades where age on 27 May 2022.

As this event is only open to registered club members, the correct club uniform must be worn.

Any athlete wishing to compete “out of grade” (e.g. junior in senior grade), must advise the race director, Ian Macfarlane whacracedirector@gmail.com and Daryl Bloomfield daryl@fedude.co.nz by 5:00pm Thursday 25 May.

Team and individual medals

Medals will be awarded to first place in each grade, (*except there will be no medals for non-championship races). Team competition winners will receive medals, with the number to count in each grade as follows:

• Open Men M20-99 10k only 6
• Open Women W20-99 5k only 3
• Masters Women MW50+ combined 3
• Masters Men MM60/MM65 combined 3
• Junior Women WU20/WU18 combined 3
• Junior Men MU20/MU18 combined 3
• All other grades 3

Masters’ runners are eligible for team competition in both the open grade and their own masters’ grade.

The Barry Everitt Plate will be awarded to the club scoring the highest number of points over all grades. This will be based on participation, where every competitor will score points, with 100 points to the winner. For example, senior women, 30 finishers, first place scores 100 points, last place scores 71 points. (The non-championship races will not count towards this club competition).

Prizegiving

Prizegiving, following each race, will be near the WHAC clubrooms. If there is bad weather, it will be held inside.

Protests and appeals

In the first instance, any protest must be made to the race referee, within 30mins of the finish of the race. The referee’s decision will be given to the race director; any appeal must be made to the race director.

IAAF Competition Rules 146 covers protests and appeals.

Health and safety

Marshals

All races are marshalled; marshals are clearly identifiable with orange hi-viz vests around the course. If you are injured or observe an injury or problem of any kind, please report to the nearest marshal. All competitors must obey the directions of marshals.

Course marking

The course will be marked with a combination of the following: tape, marker poles, arrows, cones, and marshals. Where two (2) marker poles are placed as a gate, runners must run between the marker poles.

Where one (1) marker pole is used, runners must run within 5m of either side of the marker pole. When running adjacent to roads, athletes must run within the coned off verge area. Failure to comply with a marshal’s instruction or not following the correct course may result in disqualification.

Public roads

The race includes the crossing of public roads. 2022 sees the closure of Alexandra Road from just north of the SPCA to just south of the intersection with Lookout Road. Marshals will still be placed at strategic points for your safety. However, you must remain alert at road crossings, look yourself, and be prepared to stop if directed to do so by a marshal. Where the course runs alongside public roads, competitors must run within the coned off verge area.

Course conditions

This is a cross country race and accordingly, trails may be loose, steep, slippery, uneven, and have trip hazards. Competitors are responsible for taking reasonable care.

COVID-19

There are no mandatory public health requirements. Spectators and athletes alike are asked to stay at home if they are feeling unwell. If the traffic light setting changes, we will adopt that setting’s requirements.

Race director

Thank you for supporting this event. We look forward to seeing you all on race day. For inquiries, please contact Ian Macfarlane (027) 230 8884, or email: whacracedirector@gmail.com