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Brendan Speakman embarassing a couple of the
Hastings girls - photo Mark Roberts |
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The cold rainy HB weather seemed to have by-passed Joll's Farm on Saturday as dry underfoot, and sunny overhead conditions greeted the large Napier contingent who descended on the farm for an afternoon's cross country racing.
A quick wander around the course established that, yes, all the hills were still there. But the good news was the course didn't go all the way up them, making the course perhaps slightly easier than previous years. Once again, Mr Joll had marked the course, and once again a few double markers would not have gone a-miss. This resulted in the usual very generous 5m roundings of the markers - the 5m getting bigger every lap!
Once again a mass start was held, but this year we were back up at the gates and havoc ensued as everyone jostled for place in the narrow track. No incidents however, and as the dust cleared it was evident that Eric Speakman was going to be his usual anti-social self as he disappeared into the distance with only Toa Elphick tagging bravely to his heels.
I was fortunate to get half way through my first lap before being overtaken by any of the juniors, but then inevitably they came - first Sean Morrison, then a bevy of Christisons... It was great to see these young guys out running hard (oh the memories) and to see all three Christisons catch and pass the lonely black and white Hastings singlet of Sean.
I'm not sure what the rest of my Napier Masters club mates were up to, but by the end of my three laps I was well clear of all but Cliff Fellingham (who was well clear of me!). I think perhaps they were waiting for Mr Handicapper Sir, and working on getting a good start for next week!
Anyway, it was a great day running at a great venue.
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