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Wellington Waterfront 5k, Spring Series - Race 12, Queens Wharf, 21 October 2008

Well, it was couple of clicks better weather tonight and as a result we had three Lifetime PBs and 35 series PBs recorded from the 75 finishers. So just a mild northerly on Wellington’s waterfront this evening, although we did have to contend with the filming of an advert which was set up right on the finish line. Many Wellingtonians got to see ASB’s “Goldstein” up close and personal with the biggest Black Limo ever imaginable taking pride of place as his main prop.

Walkers: Glenn Burrell claimed first place again tonight with a time of 24:04 and closing in on him was the ever improving Michael Walton who recently won the Masterton Half Walk and walked a Lifetime PB of 26:59 for second place tonight. Third place, also with a huge Lifetime PB, was Andrew Shelley who by my calculations broke through the 30 minute barrier to register 29:10 for third male overall. Fastest Race Walker in the ladies section was Alison Samson who recorded a leisurely 33:53. Second place went to Terri Grimmett with 34:07 with third going to Carol Briesman in 36:08. Afterwards, I learned they were all just out for a brisk but gentle tempo as most of the walkers prepare for the National Long Distance Walking Championship this coming weekend. All the best to everyone involved.

Runners: We predicted the first two home again this evening on the start line. But there was more to it than that.  First home was Hayden Shearman but it was not just a run. He was racing to break through the 16 minutes barrier – and he did just that with a solo run which he disclosed later he was dedicating to his passionate coach Steve Plowman who was simultaneously undergoing a fairly serious operation that same night. No doubt Steve, you will read this on Wednesday morning and you can be very proud and hopefully we hear you have a very quick recovery. Go well cobber! For the record, Hayden’s Lifetime PB winning time was 15:56. Second place went to Vaile Mexted who ran 16:46 and third place went to young Axel Tie – who reported before the race he was very unfit. His time of 17:03 belies this but clearly we can expect further improvement from Axel in the weeks ahead.  He tells me he just can’t wait till his first 800m on the track this season! First woman home was Bernie Portenski and she recorded 18:33. Second was Lotty Turnidge with 18:41 and third place went to Stephanie Pearson who recently ran the Round Rarotonga 30k race - along with a handful of other Scottish members and friends of the 5k series. Stephanie’s time was a solid 19:39 – however, the Race Director’s decision regarding a pacemaker (who finished one place ahead) is still pending. J J

Thanks to all those runners/walkers who helped ensure we did not disrupt the filming which cramped our start/finish area quite severely.  

Thanks again to tonight’s officials - Dan Powell, Bruce & Noeleen Perry, Todd Stevens, plus Scottish Senior women Belinda Buck, Jo Badham, Sally Ann Spencer, Jane Loughnan (turnaround), Laura Roozendaal and Rebecca Spiers.

A REMINDER:

From now on the race times have changed as the advent of daylight saving allows us to move the start time later in the evening. Ongoing details are:

REGISTRATIONS FROM:          5:30pm onwards at The Chicago Sports Bar, Queen’s Wharf, Wellington

WALKERS/RUNNERS:              5:45pm for all walkers and anyone who feels they will run around 26 minutes or more for the 5k race. It is preferred if you start at this time to help keep the race within a manageable time space – I suggest also that it makes for better racing for those runners joining the earlier start time.

RUNNERS' RACE:                      6:00pm for all runners – expecting to run 26 minutes or less

Jim Kerr
Race Series Organiser
Wellington Scottish Athletics Club

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