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"Jolls Farm Cross Country"
Omapere Rd, Matapiro
28 April, 2007
(Second Sealed Handicap)
Despite the best efforts of the weather, we finally managed to get another race at Joll's Farm! One of the most picturesque venues you will race at had been forced out of action by the weather for the last 2 years but the steady overnight rain had barely left an impression on the course this year and the race was on!
As usual Mr Joll had done a superb job of marking the course, although the absence of some double markers saw some athletes (most of whom should know better) taking liberties with the 5m rule! The course also turned out to be somewhat shorter than expected with the laps being only 2.58km. This proved a blessing in disguise for some as the awkward terrain and seemingly constant hill climbs found many wanting.
The start finish was moved down the track a little to allow for a mass start for all grades, which provided an interesting spectacle as the field quickly spread itself. Setting the early pace was a small group of M16 and 19 boys, including Eric Speakman, Cam Poole-Smith, Marno Wynsma and Ben Gillies all from Napier and James Holden and Duncan Morrison from Hastings. Morrison was the first to drop off and James and Eric were having a good battle up front, slowly putting distance on the rest. James, being B16, finished at the end of the frist lap, leaving Eric alone at the front of the field with Cam in hot pursuit.
However, company soon arrived in the form of Hastings senior Neville Smith. Neville looked well in control but his presence gave Eric something to work on and he continued to battle well through to his finish at the end of the second lap. Neville was now well clear of the field with Quentin Rew and first Masters Man Napier's Mark Speakman second and third on the course. These positions remained unchanged through to the finish, with new boy Darren O'Connor taking third Senior Man behind second and third Masters Men Hamish Goodwin and Geoff Martin.
Meanwhile the younger grades had all completed their runs with Brendan Speakman once again showing too much pace for his counterparts in the B14 grade, and his Napier club mate Toa Elphick showing similar quality in the B12 grade. Not to be out done, Holly Edmonds cleaned up her G12 opposition, but her Napier club mate Laura Smith was made to work somewhat harder for her 5 second victory in the G14 race. Hastings had the G16 race all to themselves as Greta Porter took an easy victory.
The run of the day came from Napier's Danielle Kiely who is relishing the return to the cross country racing. She was only two and half minutes down on the second placed M19 runner and won the W19 race by 1:24. also beating in the first Senior and Masters Women.
It was great to see all the yellow and black singlets on display, and well outnumbering the black and white of Hastings.
