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Napier Harriers conducted the 71st edition of the annual Louise Sweeney Shield Relay in gorgeous 'spring' conditions on Saturday. The winning team of Laura Nagel, Kaden Hall, Mal Lochrie, Charlie Chittenden and Patrick McGirr completed the 20.6km loop through Puketapu in 1:25:47.
On the first lap from Taradale to Springfield Rd, Eric Speakman dispersed the opposition with a classy run, covering the 5km in 17:02. This was the fastest opening lap registered since Matt Holder's 15.45, way back in 1996. Nagel tagged in sixth place, three minutes down on the leader.
The whole aspect changed over the next leg through Puketapu village. Kaden Hall (11.41) powered through the whole field to establish a 32 second advantage over Hayden Foster who recorded his strongest effort of the season.
On the third lap to Puketitiri Road, Mal Lochrie (13.16) gave up all his energy reserves in keeping his team ahead. Lochrie actually squeezed the margin out to 40 seconds, while Sophie Brennan (12.46) recorded the quickest time to bring her team into contention, 63 seconds behind the leader.
Twelve year old Charlie Chittenden (21.24) produced a courageous effort over the demanding Poraite Hill to complete the 5 km lap at Park Island still holding a 35 second advantage. Brendan Speakman (20.56) ran a minute quicker than Mark Walwyn and overtook him on the Poraite Hill ascent to reach the changeover in second place with a nice 37 second margin over third.
Seventeen year old Patrick McGirr (19.25) had the comfortable task of holding at bay 12 year old Henare Harvey-Brewster (19.47) over the 4.5km anchor leg through Greenmeadows back to Taradale Park. Harvey-Brewster cut the margin to 100 metres after 2.5 kms, but couldn't sustain the pressure and the winning margin had stretched to 57 seconds at the end. McGirr recorded the quickest lap but Laura Smith running for nothing more than pride, came within a whisker, with a good 19.29 final lap.
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