Loyal supporter of the Offroad Series, John Baxter returns for the 2010 season
Race one of the Frontrunner Offroad Series took place on Wednesday 10 November, on what was a glorious spring evening.
The annual Offroad Series is a common meeting ground for those runners kicking off their race season with events such as Kepler and the Coast to Coast, and there is also normally good representation from the orienteering fraternity to keep everyone on their toes.
Wednesday’s race saw 59 runners complete either the long or short course. The short course has traditionally been the domain of the junior competitors (10 to 16 years), however new for 2010 is the option for adults to also run the shorter course should they prefer.
The long course takes runners up the Valley Track, across the Summit Road, up to the summit of Mt Vernon before returning down the Farm Track to the finish line back at the Valley Track carpark. In this event, Vajin Armstrong ran a very strong race to take the win from Sumner favourites Marty Lukes (2nd) and Grant Guise (3rd). Less than a week after winning the Shoe Clinic Tai Tapu Half Marathon, Vajin was just a handful of seconds off the Mt Vernon course record previously set by Carsten Jorgenson. Vajin, Marty and Grant are all set to compete in the Kepler in less than a month.
L to R: Vajin Armstrong, Marty Lukes, Grant Guise
First home overall for the women was adventure racer and 2007 Coast to Coast winner Fleur Pawsey, followed by elite triathlete Julia Grant in 2nd, and well performed local runner Fiona Gilroy close behind in 3rd (first veteran woman).
L to R: Fleur Pawsey, Julia Grant, Fiona Gilroy
Over the shorter distance (which took runners up the Valley Track, down Rapaki, then down onto Rodgers Track back to the finish), William Richardson was the overall winner, with a sprint finish deciding 2nd and 3rd placings – Josh Campbell just edging out Ella Harris (who was first female home).
Summary of Results
Senior Men
- Vajin Armstrong – 33.57
- Martin Lukes – 35.10
- Grant Guise – 35.51
Masters Men (40-49)
- Roger Lamb – 37.40
- Paul Knott – 47.37
- Andrew Turpin – 50.03
Classic Men (50+)
- Anthony Rogal – 39.08
- Ian Forne – 43.32
- Arne Ericson – 46.51
Boys 10-12
- Louis Harris – 31.42
- Felix Harrison – 42.41
Boys 13-16
- William Richardson – 26.43
- Josh Campbell – 27.59
- Ed Cory-Wright – 29.55
Senior Women
- Fleur Pawsey – 43.12
- Julia Grant – 44.01
- Nicola Handley – 44.29
Masters Women (40-49)
- Fiona Gilroy – 44.09 (2nd overall)
- Jane Manthorpe – 52.02
- Hayley Bell – 55.04
Classic Women (50+)
- Annette Campbell – 1.00.38
- Helen Wells – 1.02.50
Girls 10-12
- Ella Harris – 27.59 (2nd= overall)
- Katie Cory-Wright – 49.12
Race Records for Mt Vernon Run-up
- Girls 10-12: Ella Harris – 27.59 (2010)
- Girls 13-16: Karly Ryder – 27.55 (2008)
- Boys 10-12: Josh Campbell – 28.44 (2007)
- Boys 13-16: Ryan Batin – 22.39 (2009)
- Junior Men: Ben Bamford – 35.35 (2006)
- Senior Men: Carsten Jorgenson – 33.52 (2008)
- Masters Men (40-49): Trent Hiles – 34.03 (2005)
- Classic Men (50+): Bruce Meder – 38.24 (2005)
- Junior Women: Lucy Oliver – 40.10 (2007)
- Senior Women: Penny Kane – 41.54 (2005)
- Masters Women (40-49): Mary-Clare Delahunty – 44.17 (2005)
- Classic Women (50+): Jean Cory-Wright – 52.59 (2008)
Results
Full results across all categories can be viewed here.
Photos
Photos can be viewed here.
Next Race
The next race is on Wednesday 17 November – the Godley Head Run-out. Registration is in the Taylors Mistake carpark from 5.30pm to 6.00pm (entry is on the day). Race start is 6.15pm. There is one course for all runners (seniors and juniors) – out on the Boulder Bay Track, up to the Godley Head Carpark, back along the MTB track, down and return to Taylors Mistake (approximately 6km).
The Sumner Running Club would like to thank their sponsors for their generous support:
