ATHLETICS TAIERI INC.
61 st Annual Report and Statement of Accounts for the year 2017/2018
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Thursday 10
thMay 2018
Clubrooms, Memorial Park, Mosgiel
OFFICERS OF THE CLUB FOR THE PAST YEAR 2017/2018
Patron B. Cashmere
Life Members R. I. Bates, T. E. Bent, B. Cashmere, B. J. Findlay, R. J. Findlay, M. Gibbons, R. Gough, F. Harvey, L. Mackay, D. May, R. A. Mears, A. A. Merrilees, J. C. Merrilees, W. Nisbet, R. J. O’Brien,
L. C. Taylor, R. T. Urquhart, M. Weddell, P. Wyber, R. Linklater.
President
Immediate Past President L. Mackay Vice Presidents – Children A. Beattie Harriers R. T. Urquhart Senior A. McDonald Executive Secretary D. J. Gouverneur Executive Treasurer R. B. Linklater
Club Executive L. Mackay, R. B. Linklater, R. T. Urquhart, A. Beattie, A. McDonald
Trustees – Trophies
Children
Harrier W. Nisbet Senior R. Ashton
Coaching Convenor P. Gibbons
Club Statistician
Webmaster B. Watt
BUILDING & GROUND COMMITTEE
Convenor D. May
Committee A. A. Merrilees, S. Mackay, B. Sharkey CHILDREN’S COMMITTEE
Convenor A. Beattie
Treasurer
Committee M. McKenzie, P. Gibbons, G. Beattie, K. Fowler HARRIER COMMITTEE
Convenor R. T. Urquhart
Secretary J. Day
Treasurer
Club Captain P. Wyber
Deputy Club Captain D. Millis
Committee Everyone
SENIOR COMMITTEE
Convenor A. McDonald
Secretary D. Gouverneur
Treasurer D. May
Committee J. Merrilees, R. Bates, A. Merrilees, M. Gibbons,
J. McNally, M. Dillon
ATHLETICS OTAGO INC.
Athletics Otago Board R Bates, M Gibbons (Chair)
Vice President R Bates
Trophy Stewards M Weddell
Athletes Liaison Officer H Robinson
Liaison Officers with the DCC R Bates, A Merrilees Finance Committee R Linklater
Cross Country Committee R Urquhart, L Mackay
Track & Field Committee A Merrilees, B Mears, J McNally
Records M Gibbons
Squad Directors D Mears
Club Delegates: Otago Children’s A Beattie Otago Master’s F Harvey
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
A year on from resigning I find myself still supporting the position due to the lack of a replacement. I am hoping we can find someone to take on this roll in the near future and I am happy to support them in any way I can.
Again, looking at the results from both the summer sections it is a very impressive line up and great to see so many athletes with varying abilities competing from local level to international meetings doing themselves and the sport proud.
Our athletes continue to be supported by the wonderful coaches we have as part of the Taieri club and we acknowledge you all on behalf of the club.
This past year saw a change round with the Tuesday night club nights with no Kiwi Section being offered and the senior section opting not to have competition, mainly concentrate on training and Saturday events. Whether is has an adverse effect on the club with continuity between the sections or not remains to be seen. The children’s section also fell in numbers after the Xmas period which is often the case. Both sections continue to struggle with helpers from the parent community.
The winter section continues to be supported by good numbers and the spirit of the section also continues to grow, due to a strong group of runners and walkers who have been there for several years. It is hoped a group of younger athletes will also join and be involved in events.
I would like to thank all convenors, especially Angie who does a great job with the children’s section, Allan who continues to support the seniors, and Rob who the
harriers couldn’t function without. I would also like to thank all the other members of committees that support the club, without you all the club would not function.
Finally, I would like to thank Diana for all the work she is doing behind the scenes in the secretary job and Ross for all his financial work that he quietly gets on with.
Lyn Mackay
Immediate Past President
BUILDING & GROUNDS 2017 / 2018
Grounds:
Our thanks must go to Raylene and Alex for their liaison with the DCC.
New contractors marked the track for our regular Tuesday night meetings.
Also thanks to Alex’s assistance with building maintenance.
Building:
Projects:
The Major project undertaken during this time was the recently completed toilet area upgrade plus the creation of wheel chair accessible cubical.
Spouting:
The existing spouting has rust in many places. This particular profile is no longer
produced, plus there are some areas where the fall needs correction. 2 x Quotes have been received for replacement.
Centre Roof Ridge:
Pricing to replace this with a wider section is being investigated.
DCC:
A meeting with the DCC regarding site drainage and area water run off was held with a number of concerns raised, awaiting action from DCC.
As convenor I extend my thanks to my fellow committee members and others who have assisted to keep the facilities both functional, clean and tidy.
Donal May
CHILDREN’S SECTION –2018
The Taieri Children’s section this year was down on the number of athletes from last season. We had new families join again this season but by the start of Club Champs numbers had dropped. We are unsure why this happens but have put it down to the number of other sports which are on offer at the time. The Children’s section were lucky enough to have Raylene Bates, Kieran Fowler and Holly Robinson as their main coaches and once again the Senior members did an awesome job helping out also.
The calibre of children competing on Saturday at the Caledonian was once again of a very high standard, we just need more athletes. We continued on from last year in at the Caledonia being strong and coming away with some really good competitive results.
The athletes all improved immensely during the season and represented the Taieri Club with true pride.
A big thank you must go out to Gary Beattie, Paul Gibbons, Mike MacKenzie and Jen McNally for helping me organize everything during the season and to all our long jump crew who helped out every Saturday. You all did a fabulous job!!!
Overall we had another very successful season with a great bunch of children and parents. Thank you so much to our very small Committee and to the parents and Senior athletes that helped out on a Tuesday night. A special thank you to Lyn Mackay and Rob Urquhart for all your hard work over the year. Hopefully soon someone will relieve you from your roles!! You are both just too good to let go of. You have both been awesome to work with and the club truly appreciates it.
Angie Beattie
Children’s Convenor
RESULTS
Otago Children’s
Otago Records set this year were by Emma McKay (G14 Long Jump) and Shyah Beattie (G12 Discus).
Colgate Games
This year again Taieri had athletes competing in both the North Island and South Island Colgate Games. The North Island Colgate Games were held in Auckland with 2 athletes competing. Outstanding results were achieved as follows:
Shyah Beattie 12 Year Girls Gold Medal – Discus Silver Medal – Shotput Neve Beattie 11 Year Girls Silver Medal – Long Jump
The South Island Colgate games were held in Timaru in which Taieri had 15 athletes competing. Van Couch and Samuel McHutchon both competed very well in the 7 -9 pennant age group. Once again our Taieri athletes did us very proud with the top performers results as follows:
Emma McKay 14 Year Girls Silver Medal – Shotput Bronze Medal – Long Jump Bronze Medal – Discus Kristin Willis 14 Year Girls Silver Medal – Discus Shyah Beattie 12 Year Girls Gold Medal – Discus Renee Willis 12 Year Girls Gold Medal – Shotput Millar McElrea 12 Year Boys Gold Medal – High Jump
Silver Medal – 400m
Bronze Medal – Long Jump Zaine Murdoch 12 Year Boys Bronze Medal – Shotput Neve Beattie 11 Year Girls Gold Medal – Long Jump
Silver Medal – Discus
Front row from left: Ohara Couch, Millie MacKenzie, Georgia McHutchon, Samuel McHutchon, Van Couch Back row from left: Ella MacKenzie, Zaine Murdoch, Emma McKay, Isabella Henderson, Millar McElrea,
Shyah Beattie, Neve Beattie
Inter Provincials
This year the Inter Provincials were held in Taranaki in which Taieri had Shyah Beattie, Miller McElrea and Zaine Murdoch competing. Shyah was first overall in the Girls grade 12 discus and 3rd in shotput. Millar placed 5th 800m, 6th 400m and 7th long jump and Zaine gained 6th place in shotput and 8th place in discus. All three athletes did Personal Bests in their events and competed to a very high standard. Kieran Fowler and myself were lucky enough to be selected to be Team Managers. We had a lot of fun and was great to see such awesome friendships being made and great team spirit.
Mini Multis
Gold Girls Grade 7 Isabella McEntyre Girls Grade 10 Millie MacKenzie Girls Grade 11 Neve Beattie Girls Grade 12 Shyah Beattie Boys Grade 12 Millar McElrea Silver Girls Grade 10 Ohara Couch
Girls Grade 14 Emma McKay Bronze Girls Grade 7 Mia Braithwaite
Boys Grade 7 Moss Wilson
Girls Grade 14 Isabella Henderson
Taieri Athletes Selected for Otago Teams after the Otago Championships
The Grade 7 to Grade 11 Team competed in Invercargill for theTyson Cup which was against Otago and Southland. The Otago Team won this Meeting.
Grade 7 Isabella McEntyre, Mia Braithwaite, Samuel McHutchon, Moss Wilson Grade 9 Aria Wilson, Van Couch
Grade 10 Millie MacKenzie, Ohara Couch, Ryley Matheson
Grade 11 Neve Beattie, Georgia McHutchon, Jorja Gibbons, Charlotte Vaafusuaga Otago Children’s Championships
Athletics Taieri children were winners of the Glue Shield for Overall Points.
Winners of Club Trophies
‘Bellaney Trophy’ for Club Member, Boy or Girl, Grade 7 to Grade 12 with Most Points Achieved at the Otago Championships Isabella McEntyre (G7)
‘Neil Murray Memorial’ Trophy for Boy or Girl in Under 14 with Most Points Achieved Overall at the Taieri Championships Ryley Matheson
‘Painter Family’ Trophy for Most Improved Athlete at Otago Childrens
Samuel McHutchon/Millar McElrea
‘Tait Achievement’ Shield for Most Improved Taieri Club Member Hailee Bird
TROPHY WINNERS AT THE 2017/2018 CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS
Girls Track Field
Grade 5 Athletics Taieri Cup Athletics Taieri Cup Alyssa Hughes Lola Couch
Grade 6 Athletics Taieri Cup Athletics Taieri Cup Sophie Mitchell Sophie Mitchell
Grade 7 Mears Cup Retailers Cup
Isabella McEntyre Isabella McEntyre
Grade 8 Munro Cup Retailers Cup
Charlie Hunsche Charlie Hunsche Grade 9 J.B. Brown Rosebowl Watt Cup
- -
Grade 10 A.R. Joll Cup Lyall Cup
Millie MacKenzie Millie MacKenzie Ohara Couch Grade 11 A.A. McCunn Cup Bellaney Cup Georgia McHutchon Neve Beattie Grade 12 I.Hebbard Cup Cumberbeach Cup
Danni Thomson Shyah Beattie
Grade 13 Duncan Cup Findlay Shield Ella MacKenzie Ella MacKenzie
Boys Track Field
Grade 5 Athletics Taieri Cup Athletics Taieri Cup Thomas McEntyre Thomas McEntyre Grade 6 Athletics Taieri Cup Athletics Taieri Cup
Jimmy MacKenzie Jimmy MacKenzie Grade 7 E.J Mason Cup Wardell Trophy
Samuel McHutchon Samuel McHutchon Grade 8 W.P Edmonds Cup I.Harvey Cup
Seb De Meyer Connor Eley
Grade 9 I.Dawson Cup B.Cashmere Cup
Van Couch Van Couch
Grade 10 Culling 4 Square Store Cup Dalgliesh Cup Ryley Matheson Ryley Matheson
Grade 11 Cagney Cup McEwan Cup
Jaxon Thomson Jaxon Thomson
Grade 12 A.Wilson Cup T.E Bent Cup Millar McElrea Millar McElrea
Grade 13 Gibson Cup Puddy Cup
Liam Wilson Liam Wilson
STILL MISSING: Two Boys Field Event trophies - Grade 9 ‘W Bellaney Cup’ and Grade 12 ‘W Murray Cup’
ATHLETICS TAIERI SENIOR REPORT 2017/2018
We again had a very successful year with our senior athletes recording some exceptional results at Provincial, National and International levels.
On a less positive note, our domestic season was a bit of a fizzer.
The format adopted for the pre Christmas period was to run our Club Championships over the four Tuesday nights in November. We ran three events on each evening covering track, jumps and throws and results would be tracked against Club records and would form the basis for the awarding trophies. This arrangement was set up primarily to allow athletes to re connect on a social basis after having gone their separate ways during the winter off season and to provide midweek opportunities to fine tune their bodies into competitive mode, leading into National Secondary Schools, and the post Christmas ‘competitive’ season.
The Tuesday night were reasonably successful in as far as there were 18 senior athletes who contested club championship events. Unfortunately, only 7 athletes, representing just about all of the age and gender categories attended all four nights, which has made coming up with definitive club awards a problem. We have therefor limited our awards presentation accordingly.
Some of the results were outstanding however, with our master hammer throwers getting some good throws away. Mike Scholten out to 39.06m and Raylene Bates close behind at 38.90m.
There were also some very good 400m times recorded on what would have to be described as a slow track, with Felix McDonald clocking 51.34sec, and Daniella Goodman recording 62.03sec just ahead of Jordan Miller with 63.45sec.
Ethan Walker and Felix had a great javelin contest with Ethan prevailing with a throw of 45.79m to Felix’s 44.99m. As soon as we locate Trevor’s records spread sheet, we will be able to confirm that Ethan’s throw broke Felix’s Under 16 Record.
After the Christmas, and throughout January and February, we had several of our elite senior athletes competing at Athletics New Zealand Classic events which were in some instances used as Commonwealth Qualifying events. We had anticipated that to continue our Tuesday club nights after Christmas would not be viable due to the traditional fall off in participants during this time. We have listened to our athletes who describe that training regimes post- Christmas become more intense prior to Otago and National Champs and this along with preparing to return to School or Tertiary education, puts real pressure on available time.
It was with this seasonal effect in mind that prompted the senior section to trial new Athlete of the Year format for the 2018 season. It was hoped to create a competition that would test our athletes across a variety of events to ensure that there would be more likely that both elite specialist and generalist athletes could compete on and equal footing.
Unfortunately, the prevailing circumstances as described above plagued the event, and it was not possible to complete the competition due the high number of athletes competing at classic events and combined event fixtures, and for those who remained, when push came to shove, the prospect of competing in events outside of their
perceived specialist events was either, too daunting, or niggling injuries limited participation.
So, we are very disappointing to report that there will be no Senior Athlete of the year award for yet another year.
Further thought and input from the athletes will be required in the coming off season, to ensure that a meaningful Athlete of the year Competition can be completed, and a window can also be set aside for the Pentathlon event as well.
Having said all that, our senior athletes, coaches and officials performed exceptionally well over the season with the results recorded below confirming that effort.
Athletics Otago Athlete of the Year Awards - 28th April 2018
We were very well represented at this year’s Otago Athlete of the year awards, with Nominations and the winners in the following categories:
Senior Athlete of the year: Tori Peeters Felix McDonald - Nominee
Junior Athlete of the year: Hamish Mears
Sam Gouverneur – Nominee Tara McNally – Nominee Zharna Beattie - Nominee
Para Athlete of the year: Holly Robinson
Jess Hamill - Nominee Caitlin Dore- Nominee
Trevor Bent Outstanding Coach of the year: Raylene Bates Megan Gibbons- Nominee
Norrie Jefferson Trophy: Mike Weddell
Sport Otago Trophy - Contribution to Athletics: Bevan Mears Ron Cain Official Of the year: Alex Merrilees Athletics Otago Athlete of the year: Holly Robinson
Holly Robinson & Raylene Bates at the Athletics Otago Athlete of the Year Awards
RESULTS FOR MAJOR COMPETITIONS
OTAGO CHAMPIONSHIPS ‐ Taieri athletes were prominent at the provincial champs winning 34 titles. Sam Gouverneur was outstanding for the Club, winning both the Junior and Senior Men’s 400 metre titles in 49.80sec and 49.96sec respectively, and Todd Bates retained his Senior Hammer.
Tara McNally and Zharna Beattie were also outstanding in the Women’s U/18 and U/16 grades winning 9 titles between them, with Tara taking the Hurdles double in impressively fast times.
These results were backed up by our two Under 18 male sprinters who performed very well with Flynn Murdoch winning the 100m 200m double, and Will Campbell picking up second place in both those events.
RESULTS SENIOR MEN
TODD BATES 1st Hammer 50.69m SAM GOUVERNEUR 1st 400m 49.96sec MICHAEL SCHOLTEN 3rd Hammer 39.59 RORY MCSWEENEY 2nd Javelin 48.45m MEN U/20YRS
SAM GOUVERNEUR 1st 400m 49.83
HAMISH MEARS 1st Shot Put 13.24m, 1st Discus 40.41m MEN U/18YRS
FLYNN MURDOCH 1st 100m 11.84sec 1st 200metres 23.69sec
WILL CAMPBELL 2nd 100m 11.99sec, 2nd 200m 24.38sec, 2nd High Jump HAMISH MEARS 1st Discus 45.29m
MEN U/16
COLE GIBBONS 1st Triple Jump 9.17m MASTERS MEN
MICHAEL SCHOLTEN M40 1st Hammer 40.09m SENIOR WOMEN
CHRISTINA ASHTON 1st 100m Hurdles 16.99sec; 3rd 100metres 13.24sec
KAREN DUNLEA 3rd Hammer 39.59m
WOMEN U/20YRS
LEONIE PALMER 1st 100m 13.46, Long Jump 5.06m ZHARNA BEATTIE 1st Discus 37.51m
HANNAH ASHTON 1st High Jump 1.45m JAMIE MCAUSLAN 1st Triple Jump 9.53m WOMEN U/18YRS
TARA MCNALLY 1st 100m 13.64sec; 1st 200m 27.05, 1st 400m 62.68sec, 1st 100m Hurdles 15.17sec, 1st 300m Hurdles 46.16sec
ZHARNA BEATTIE 1st Shot Put 11.72m, 1st Discus 39.53m, 1st Hammer 26.82m EMMA MCKAY 1st Long Jump 5.26m Otago U14 record
WOMEN U/16
EMMA MCKAY 1st Long Jump 5.07m, 2nd 100m 13.19sec, 2nd 200m 27.66sec, Shot Put 10.51m, 1st Discus 30.75m,
1st Triple Jump 10.48m KRISTIN WILLIS 2nd Discus 24.11m ISABELLA HENDERSON 1st High Jump 1.40m MASTERS WOMEN
VIVIENNE HARVEY 50+ 2nd Javelin 17.68m; 1st Discus 23.93m; 1st Shot Put 7.87m; 1st Hammer 26.62m, 1st Weight Throw 9.93m FIONA HARVEY 3rd Shot Put 7.52m, 2nd Discus 22.33m, 1st Javelin
19.76m, 2nd Hammer
LYN TRIBBLE 50+ 3rd Hammer, 2nd Weight Throw
KAREN DUNLEA 35+ 1st Hammer 30.89m, 1st Weight Throw 8.94m PARA WOMEN
CAITLIN DORE 1st Shot Put (F37) 9.00m (64.47%) NZ Para Record 1st Javelin (F37) 23.32 NZ Record
JESS HAMILL (SEATED) 2nd Shot Put (F34)
RESULTS ‐ N. Z. TRACK & FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS HAMILTON 2017 GOLD MEDAL
TORI PEETERS Women Javelin 53.56m HOLLY ROBINSON Para Women Javelin 42.33m SAM GOUVERNEUR Men U/20 400m 49.39sec
TARA MCNALLY W U/18 300M Hurdles 44.98sec ZHARNA BEATTIE W U/18 Discus 36.73m
RORY MCSWEENEY F 64 51.91m SILVER MEDAL
CATLIN DORE Para Javelin 21.87m
SAM GOUVERNEUR Men U/20 4X 400m 3:24.71sec
JOCCOAA PALMER Women U/20 4 x 100 m Relay 49.34secs LEONIE PALMER Women U/20 4 x 100 m Relay 49.34secs TARA MCNALLY W U/18 100M Hurdles 15.00sec
FELIX MCDONALD Men 110m Hurdles 15.68sec BRONZE MEDAL
HAMISH MEARS U/18 Shot Put 14.83m FELIX MCDONALD Men Long Jump 7.19m
TARA MCNALLY Women U /20 4x 400m relay JOCCOAA PALMER Women U/20 4x 400m relay COMPETED WITH DISTINCTION
DANIELLE GALDEMAN, Women 200m 27.94, 400m 63.57sec CHRISTINA ASHTON Women 4th 100m Hurdles 15.27s JAMIE MCAUSLAN W U/20 4th High Jump 1.57m JOCCOAA PALMER W U/20 8th 200m 26.49s ZHARNA BEATTIE W U/20 4th Discus 36.77m TODD BATES Men 4th Hammer 51.51m MICHAEL SCHOLTEN Men 4th Hammer 41.23m
HAMISH MEARS U/20 4th Shot put 13.24m, 4th Discus 39.90m, 5th U/18 Discus 46.06m
RESULTS - NEW ZEALAND SECONDARY SCHOOLS HAWKES BAY
TARA MCNALLY 2nd 80M Hurdles 12.17sec, 2nd 300m Hurdles 47.23s EMMA MCKAY 2nd Junior Triple Jump 11.07m
ZHARNA BEATTIE 3rd Junior Shot Put 12.72m, 2nd Junior Discus 35.68m LEONIE PALMER 3rd Senior 4x100m Relay 50.52sec
MIKAYLA THORN 3rd Senior 4x 100m Relay 50.52 sec
FLYNN MURDOCH 3rd Junior 100m 11.22sec, 3rd Junior 200m 22.57sec, 1st Junior 4x100m relay, 1st Junior 4x400m relay SAM GOUVERNEUR 3rd Senior 400m 50.47sec
HAMISH MEARS 3rd Senior Shot Put 15.11m
NZ MULTI EVENTS CHAMPIONSHIPS ‐ Whanganui 2018 BRONZE MEDAL
FELIX MCDONALD Men Decathlon 6119pts
JOCCOAA PALMER Women U/20 Pentathlon 3856pts
NZ REPRESENTATION – TAIERI ATHLETES OVERSEAS Commonwealth Games Gold Coast Australia, April 2018
HOLLY ROBINSON Silver Medal AWD Javelin - World record 43.32m World University Games, August 2017
TORI PEETERS 12th (Pool A) Javelin
Oceania Championships Fiji, July 2017
HAMISH MEARS Bronze U/18 Discus, Bronze U/18 Shot Put SAM GOUVERNEUR Gold U/18 400m, Bronze U/18 800m FELIX MCDONALD Gold U20 Decathlon
OCEANIA CHAMPIONSHIPS
HOLLY ROBINSON Senior Javelin 40.07m 4th
HOLLY ROBINSON Para Javelin 41.10m 1st
ANNA GRIMALDI Para Long Jump 5.17m 1st
ANNA GRIMALDI 200m 26.58s 1st NZ Record
JESS HAMILL Seated Shot Put 7.39m 1st
WORLD PARA CHAMPIONSHIPS
ANNA GRIMALDI T47 Long Jump 5.21m 4th
H1 T47 200m 26.77s 4th
Withdrew T47 200m Final Withdrew T47 100m
RORY MCSWEENEY F44 Javelin 51.58m 7th
HOLLY ROBINSON F46 Javelin 42.41m Silver Oceania Record
JESS HAMILL F34 Shot Put 7.77m Bronze
AUSTRALIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS
HOLLY ROBINSON Para Javelin 40.66m 1st
WILL O’NEILL Para 100m 14.34s 8th
WILL O’NEILL Para 200m 31.01s 8th
LAURA OVERTON SW Javelin 10th
TORI PEETERS SW Javelin 8th
VICTORIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS (WORLD PARA GRAND PRIX)
CAITLIN DORE Javelin 22.4m 4th
CAITLIN DORE Shot Put 8.4m 3rd
JESS HAMILL Seated Shot Put 7.33m 1st
WILL O’NEILL 100m 14.47s 7th
WILL O’NEILL 200m 30.49s 6th
HOLLY ROBINSON Javelin Para 42.14m 1st
HOLLY ROBINSON Javelin SW Open 41.50m 3rd
LIAM WILSON 100m 14.05s 6th
LIAM WILSON Shot Put 5.32m 8th
LIAM WILSON 200m 29.21s 5th
LIAM WILSON Long Jump 4.01m 8th
Allan McDonald Senior Convenor
HARRIERS/WALKING SECTION
The 2018 Winter, season has started off well, rolling on from the success of 2017, numbers are continuing to grow, and we have retained a strong group of members who have been with the winter section for a number of years. If everyone turned up on the same day, numbers would be around 36, both runners and walkers. As a unit, it is a very friendly and encouraging group, a pleasure to be involved with.
With some younger summer athletes joining in with us, we are hopeful of resurrecting a junior section, reminiscent of the 80’s and 90’s when the club had strong U14 and U16 grades. During this period, the club teams were sharing the spoils of team races in the Otago centre events. It seems and is, a long time ago, but not beyond the Taieri club to get more, younger athletes involved.
Socially, the season started off with good spirit, a van load of Ladies, accompanied by three males (necessary to keep the Ladies in check) travelled to Wanaka, for the Wanaka Half Marathon, where some great results were achieved. The evening after the second run/walk for the season, a get- together was held at Lyn and Steven
Mackay’s residence, providing an opportunity for a catch up. Another trip is planned in the first week of May, to the Hanmer Half Marathon, and 10 km, 16 members are taking part in this outing.
It has been a pleasure to welcome along for the first three runs/walks, Jan Hollis, Sherie Howie, Hayley and Georgia McHutchon, Rebecca and Lily Miller, Tracey Howell, and Marie Finnie.
A varied programme has been organised for the season, with a number of away runs/walks i.e., Green Island, Taieri Mouth, Waldronville, Dunedin, and Abbotsford.
The section is hosting, and being hosted, by Hill City and Caversham, with a run/walk from each, others clubrooms. A combined cross country with Civil Service will
continue, this is a rewarding partnership, providing greater competition on the day.
Additional duties through the season include marshalling for the Surf to City, the Jennian Holmes Mother’s Day fun run/walk. Taieri is also duty club along with Hill City for the Edmond Cup. The Mud Sweat & Tears, is on-going as the major fund raiser for the clubs Building fund, the October timing encouraging bigger entries. Last year from all the sections of the club we had 54 helpers on the ground, the result, a tidy sum of dollars earned.
The section members are encouraged to participate in the Otago centre events, where practical, particularly the Lovelock, Leith, and the Peninsula relays. With a majority of social runners and walkers, there is only a small percentage keen to be competitive, but that is changing. Our teams had good results in all three relay’s last season.
Taieri will again be hosting the Kids Cross Country, Lyn and I, are working with the other clubs to strengthen participation in the five races of the series.
At the conclusion of the 2017 season, the Ross Stewart Memorial road race was well supported, Angie Low was successful in the running section, Shirley Macmillan likewise in the walking event. Janice Finnie scorched over the North Taieri course to take
fastest time 38 mins 38 sec.
A mixed relay including runners and walkers, was held on the last day, it was a lot of fun, run along the lines of the ‘Fear Factor’ (Club captain has been watching too much T.V) it turned out to be a hilarious affair. For the record, the No 3 team, consisting of Richard Finnie, Donal May, Lauren Batten, Lynda Kelly and Mark Findlay, were able to consume the cream cakes and jelly snakes, faster than anyone else, and also keep up a good pace with the relay batten.
Harrier of the Year for 2017 was Janice Finnie, Naomi Chisman took out the Best Walker performance award.
Ross Stewart Memorial Road race results- (Hcp)
Angie Low 1st 46 min 05 sec., Donal May 2nd 46 min 07 sec., Sharon Findlay 3rd 44 min 51 sec.
Fastest time – 1st Janice Finnie 38 min 38 sec., 2nd Richard Finnie 40 min 12 sec., 3rd Donal May 41 min 38 sec.
Walkers – 1st Shirley Macmillan 1 hr 10 mins 48 sec., 2nd Joe Issac 1 hr 10 mins 00 sec., 3rd Rob Urquhart 1 hr 13 mins 45 sec.
Wanaka Half marathon April 2018
Angela Low 27th Open women, 1hr 46 mins 24 sec.
Women 40-44 – Wendy Paterson 7th 1 hr 43 09 sec., Sharon Findlay 12th 1 hr 49 mins 24 sec.
Women 50-59 – Janice Finnie 1st 1hr 33 mins 34 sec., Pam Wyber 14th 2 hrs 03 mins 31 sec., Jan Day 17th 2 hrs 07 mins 57 sec., Lyn Mackay 19th 2 hrs 11 mins 06 sec.
10 km Masters Men 50-59 – Richard Finnie 1st 46 mon 04 sec., Ken Wyber 2nd 48 mins 34 sec., Mark Findlay 3rd 50 mins 26 sec.
Papatowai Challenge
Mike Dooley 11th 1 hr 23 mins., Richard Finnie 15th 1 hr 31 mins 39 sec., Mark Findlay 17th 1 hr 35 mins 49 sec.
Senior Women – Angie Low 14th 1 hr 28 mins 10 sec.
Masters Women – Janice Finnie 1st 1 hr 21 mins 30 sec., Sharon Findlay 5th 1 hr 35 mins 57 secs.
Legends Women – Marjorie Orr, 4th 1 hr 58 mins 03 sec.
Walkers – Jan Hollis 16th 2 hr 18 mins 19 sec., Tom Cockerill 4th 2 hrs 02 mins 59 sec.
Rob Urquhart Harrier’s Convenor
Ready and dressed for action, Taieri runners and walkers setting off in miserable conditions from Green Island. We still run/walk, rain, hail or snow!!!
Winter running and walking often means dirty shoes.
The aftermath of a run/walk on a very muddy, Millenium Track, at Taieri Mouth.
Team Taieri in Hanmer ready to go in the 4 Square Half Marathon and 10km Still smiling - different response on finishing
