National Cross Country Champs

Laura Nagel, Cheryl and Alan Simpsons bring home Silver from the New Zealand Cross Country Champs. The Waikanae course must be one of the best cross country venues seen this year by any Napier Harriers member. On a sunny day the course would be picturesque but challenging. But when the rain set in and the course became grueling as the hills and tracks became muddy and slippery. The two hurdles which were in the 2k lap become more challenging the wetter it got but Napier Harrier can not only be proud of their running abilities but also their hurdling abilities with only a couple on ungainly almost tragic jumps (not naming any names Trevor and Annie). With the stiff competition on the day Napier Harriers Club excelled. Kim What a great effort by all our club members on Sat in Waikanae as all ran their hearts out and many exceeded what they had achieved in the past with effort and result. In the younger grades Georgia Creagh ran another beaut and claimed 2nd in the under 10 non-championship race. Sophie Rose ran herself to a standstill for 7th after a closely contested race and Jasmine also had a terrific race for 10th and sprinted up the home straight like a woman possessed. Both managed to vault the fence at the top of the hill and make some ground in the U12 grade. Holly ran a great race and was 5th pretty much all the way and after another good vaulting the fence display ran hard to the finish as did Annie only two places behind while nearly grabbing 6th on the line in the U14 race. Annie also vaulted the fence in style. All these youngsters have been practicing getting over fences as quick as possible and it was noticeable that this is a dying art among nearly all other contestants. Laura ran other excellent race for 2nd in the U16 race to lead the girls HBG team to 3rd in the teams race. Jess Middleton did not count in that team as she was crook but ran an honest race under the circumstances. Eric ran his best National CC for 6th in the U19 grade with another year or so in that grade. He was not far away from the action all the way. A former Napier Harrier, Ryan Woolley had a great race for 3rd after claiming 2nd spot with 300m to go and got pipped on the line after a great battle for 2/3 over last 2 laps. In the oldies Cheryl and Allan Simpson claimed 2nd in their respective grades, won't mention how many were in Cheryl's grade but she was destined for 1st or 2nd. A close tussle as it turned out. Cliff was 7th in his Masters grade, Trevor had another solid effort as did John. Not sure of their placing but no doubt someone can fill them in for me. Trevor did his best to roll down the hill after tripping on a hurdle but finished well. Mark had a solid run but confessed the course caught him a little short on fitness. I doubt he was worried after seeing Eric run so well. All in all a terrific effort by all and it was great to see it all happen. FYI, Stefan did not run due to flu. Wayne My pennies worth. Tremendous efforts by all the Napier Harrier Club members who ran at Waikanae. Lovely course. Getting four second placings plus another seven getting top 10 spots was awesome reward from our little club. But everyone including parents and supporters deserve a medal for the marvellous encouragement and support from the sidelines to not only the Napier competitors, but the other HB-Gis reps and several former Napier runners still forging impressive running careers elsewhere. That camaraderie makes our sport special, and as long as Napier Harriers display that spirit I wish to be involved. Trevor

	Girls 12 - 2km
7	Sophie Rose	08:12
10	Jasmine Ngan-Sue	08:30
	Girls 14 - 3km
5	Hollie Edmonds	12:18
7	Annie Creagh	12:22
	Women 55 - 6km
2	Cheryl Simpson	30:58
	Men 40 - 8km
8	Cliff Fellingham	30:37
16	Mark Speakman	33:46
	Men 50 - 8km
15	John Craven	35:14
	Men 55 - 8km
7	Trevor Fulton	34:28
	Men 60 - 8km
2	Allan Simpson	36:28
	Women 16
2	Laura Nagel	15:20
33	Jess Middleton	17:41
	Men 19
(3)	(Ryan Woolley)	27:14
6	Eric Speakman	27:47
	Girls 10 (non championship) - 1km
2	Georgia Creagh

Full results here