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NOTE: All distances and courses are subject to change!
As a new innovation for 2008 the club has decided to allow any member (or prospective member) to race over any of the shorter distances on offer at each event. This means that if you are not up to running the full distance that your age group is racing you may enter in any of the shorter distances instead. Of course there will be no championship points on offer if you take this option, but at least it gives you the chance run. *NOTE* - Juniors will not be permitted to race 'up grades' to the longer races (however the senior and masters women mey run the longer events if they wish).
Strifflechase
A team race with a difference - distances from 1.6km - 6.4km.
The race is held on a roughly 1.6km lap course. Usually 4 to a team, with the team consisting of a combination of runner ability. The team must remain together at all times, so the first lap is run at the pace of the slowest runner. At the end of each lap, the slowest runner stops and leaves the rest of the team to continue at the pace of the next slowest runner, until just the fastest runner is left (who will complete 4 laps)
Marett Madness
Another team race although this one is a relay, once again with a difference. - distances approx 4km (with 2km option if needed)
The race is held on the riverbanks in Taradale starting at the end of Guppy Road. The teams are evenly selected to produce competition and consist of a combination of runner ability. The course heads up the stopbank toward the Pettigrew Green Arena, across the Waiohiki Bridge and back along the stopbank on the other side of the river. Be prepared to get wet because the lap ends where it starts from and the only way back is throught the river!
Reading Cinemas Interclub Cross Country
A straight out cross country scratch race (everyone starts together)
- Boys and Girls 12 yrs and under - 2km (1 lap)
- Boys and Girls 14 yrs and under, Girls 16 yrs and under, Women 19 yrs and under, Senior and Masters Women - 4km (2 laps)
- Boys 16 yrs and under, Men 19 yrs and under, Senior and Masters Men - 6km (3 laps)
The race is held at the Mission Winery in Taradale over an interesting course containing one short but tough hill and some fast sections through the vines.
This is the first of the Interclub contests with the Hastings Club. Points are awarded on finishing positions across the grades to find the winner of the Sherwood Interclub Trophy.
It is also the first 'Sealed Handicap' of the Napier season and the 'Novice Cup' is awarded to the first Napier Harriers Senior/Masters athlete home who has never before won a race (Open or Sealed handicap).
Park Island Cross Country
Open Handicap Cross Country race
- Boys and Girls 12 yrs and under - 2km
- Boys and Girls 14 yrs and under, Girls 16 yrs and under, Women 19 yrs and under, Senior and Masters Women - 4km
- Boys 16 yrs and under, Men 19 yrs and under, Senior and Masters Men - 6km
A relatively flat and fast course at Park Island. Usually pretty good under foot , but if it's been raining ...
It is the first 'Open Handicap' of the series.
Hastings Steeples
Flat fast cross country organised by Hastings Harriers. Second sealed handicap
- Boys and Girls 12yrs - 1.5km
- Boys and Girls 14/16 and Women 19yrs - 3km
- Men 19yrs, Senior and Masters Women - 4.5km
- Senior and Masters Men - 6km
Sounds like an easy race but being flat makes it hard in a different sense as it is fast paced all the way with three 'steeples' per lap to keep you on your toes. The course is tight and winding and keeps you working the whole way. After match is at Hastings Clubrooms in Sylvan Rd, Hastings.
Centre Road Relay
An Interclub Road Relay starting from Puketapu and doing a loop of the Apley Rd circuit with 5 legs to the race.
- Distances from 3km to 7km,
Teams are selected by the handicappers. This is the annual grudge match with Hastings, who have had the upper hand for the last few years. Gisborne and Bush used to front as well but we haven't seen them for a while. The course is a combination of fast and flat, to all uphill, to a rollercoaster leg.
Total Food Equipment Queen's Birthday Road Races
An Open Handicap road race
- Under 12's and Cubs do 2km on an out and back course
- All the other junior grades and all women do 1 lapp of 4.5km
- Senior and Masters Men do 2 laps (9km)
The course heads out along Marine Parade past the Port, turns left and comes up over the hill via Shakespeare Rd and Coote Rd, heads past TePania and the museum and back up to the Parade to finish out side Ocean Spa. It is Open Handicap so you're either chasing or being chased the whole way until the field condenses up just before the finish - watch out for the burglars. Hastings will hopefully be joining us.
Dorne Cup
Wellingtons's premiere early season cross country race with racing in all grades. Big fields make this a different experience for us small town runners. Fields in excess 50 and in some cases more than one hundred make for interesting racing over what is generally a fast course. Distance 2km to 8km.
Puketapu Cross Country
Third Open Handicap, on a real cross country course
- 12 yrs and under - 2km (1 short lap) >
- Boys and Girls 14/16yrs and under - 4km (2 short laps)
- Men and Women 19 yrs and under, Senior aand Masters Women - 6km (2 long laps)
- Senior and Masters Men - 9km (3 long lapps)
An old style cross country course with lots of hills, lots of fences and usually lots of mud - Great Fun! The course is in Omaranui Rd, Puketapu.
North Island Cross Country Champs
Fast cross country running in Taupo
- Distance very from 1km to 9km
A fast and demanding course on pumice based grass - very good under foot. The best of the North Island turn up on the same course every year to check each other out and vie for the psychological advantage before heading to the Nationals later in the year. A good chance to take in some of the countries best and see how you fare in their company.
Races are broken down into grades from under 10's to Masters
Joll's Farm
Cross Country run with Hastings Harriers
- Boys and Gilrs 16/14/12 years and under - 3km
- Boys and Girls 17/19 years and under, Seenior/Masters Women - 6km
- Senior and Masters Men - 9km
There are three different courses that have been used at Joll's farm and the distances tend to be a little hit and miss - you never know what you're getting 'till you get there, but it is always good racing on a very picturesque farm. The course usually involves at least one good hill and a bit of running along stream beds.
Green Shield Relay
Cross Country relay over a (approx.) 2 or 4km lap.
We have held this relay at the springfield vineyards for the last few years. The teams are selected to be even and usually consist of four mixed runners. Flat and fast, good fun.
HBG and NHC Cross Country Champs
Provincial and Club Champs
- Boys and Girls 12yrs - 2km
- Boys and Girls 14yrs, Girls 16yrs - 4km<
- Boys 16yrs, Girls 19yrs, Masters Women -- 6km
- Boys 19yrs, Masters Men and Senior Womenn - 8km
- Senior Men - 12km
Your chance to stake a claim for a provincial title and a place in the team for the Nationals. Venue moves between clubs each year, with Napier, Gisborne and Hastings taking turns to host.
Pakowhai Relays
A very low key interclub relay on a 2km (ish) lap.
Teams are selected by 'team captains' from all present - a bit like being back at school!
National Cross Country Champs
This year they are in Christchurch, so get your bookings done early and be there to race in NZ's premiere Cross Country race.
'Coopers Challenge' Handicap Team Race
An explanation of the teams race format - The club is ranked from fastest to slowest and then divided into teams where all the runners of a team have similar ability. This means the clubs fastest runners are all in the same team and also the clubs slowest runners are all in the same team.
The whole team is then given a handicap based on the estimated average pace of the team. The event is then run on an open handicap basis with the slowest team heading off first and followed at varying times by the other teams until the fastest team starts last.
In theory everyone crossed the line together! However as some runners in a team are faster than their handicap and some are slower, all the teams become mixed as the race progresses. The winner is determined on the finishing position of each athlete, with the finishing positions being added to gain a team score. The team with the lowest team total is the winner.
Meet at the clubrooms at 2:00 for team selection.
HBG Road Champs
Line the Cross Country champs they move between the clubs each year.
Championship distances (probably)
- Boys and Girls 12 years and under - 2km
- Girls 14/16/19 years and under, Boys 14 years and under, Masters Women - 4km
- Boys 16 years and under - 6km
- Men 19 years and under - 8km
- Senior Men, Senior Women, Masters Men - 10km
A good chance to stake an early claim for selection to the Road Relay team!
National Road Champs
In Dunedin this year. Distances will be the same as HBG Road Champs
Orienteering
Hastings Harriers will plot a course in Havelock North (with the assistance of the HB Orienteering Club).
Sweeney Shield Relay
A Road Relay of 5 legs around the Puketapu Circuit. Distances from 2km to 6km.
Meet at the clubrooms to select even teams. The course heads out to Puketapu and back via Puketitiri Rd and Park Is.
Laurence Cup
Road (Footpath) Race on Napier's Marine Parade
- Girls and Boys 12 yrs and under - 2km
- Boys and Girls 14/16/19 years, Senior annd Masters Women - 5km
- Senior and Masters Men - 10km
Fast flat, out and back racing along the Rotary Walkway. This is the final Open Handicap of the series - last chance to bluff the handicapper.
Rotorua Forest Relay
Relay's in Rotorua's Redwood Forests - distances around 3km
Organised by Lake City Harriers, this event is growing in prestige and popularity. Run in the redwood forest trails and nursery. Always a good turn out and a good day trip.
Club Road Champs
Club trophies at stake here...
- 2km - Boys and Girls 12yrs and under >
- 4km - Boys and Girls 14/16 years and undder
- 5km - Men and Women 19yrs and under, Masters Women
- 10km - Senior and Masters Men
This is our final sealed handicap. It will also be the last chance to stake your claim to a spot in the road relays team.
Guestimate Road Race
An estimated time road race in Norton Road Hastings
distances usually 2, 5, or 10km
Organised by the Hastings Club, estimate your finish time then run (without a watch) and see how close you get to your estimate!
ANZ Road Relay Champs
Takahe to Akaroa this year
Legs vary from around 8km to 12km
This is club trip, but the handicappers will be picking the teams based on performance.
Memorial Road Race and Relay
The final race of the year.
Distances are 24km solo or 4 x 6km relay
The course runs the Puketapu/Omaranui Rd circuit anti-clockwise starting and finishing at the clubrooms. Meet at the clubrooms for team selection
