Prizegiving wraps harriers’ season
The Te Puke Harriers season has ended with two months of road running.
The most outstanding athletes were Alanah Eru and Sean By De Lay who both showed excellence in attitude, training attendance and appearing for the club.
Sean has competed in local championships and running in the Bay of Plenty/Poverty Bay cross country championships finishing seventh in the 15 boys while still only 12.
He ran a 3km time trial in 11 min 27sec.
There is no doubt that with good balanced training he will take two and up to three minutes off his time has he becomes older.
For his efforts, Sean was awarded the Presidents Shield for the most meritorious achievement of the season.
Alanah, who is from the Bayfair area, recently joined the training programme and the harrier club.
Her improvement has been consistent and she is now becoming one of the top girls in New Zealand running.
She won silver in the Waikato/BOP road championships and bronze in the Waikato/BOP cross country championship in the under 13 girls section.
She is still just 11 years old and has done a 2km time trial in 7min 52sec.
Alanah won the trophy for the girls’ most meritorious achievement.
One of the most exciting events was the No 1 and No 2 road relay.
Starting outside BP, heading up No 1 Rd and down No 2 Rd, the relay finished at the Post Office via Boucher Ave and Jocelyn St.
Each leg was 3.2km with six runners per team. Coach Selwyn Mawkes says it was a lot of fun watching the three teams which were led out by Sean, Alanah and Ellie Hansen.
The last event was the handicap road race over a 2km course.
With athletes having to chase runners, handicap races often lead to good performances.
The race was won by Brooke Harding, with Hadlee Fowler second and Alanah, who set off at the back, coming third.
Mawkes, who was behind the revival of Te Puke Harriers, says he has been impressed with the talent he has seen in Te Puke as he visits local schools.
He is keen to hear about any talented athletes who might benefit from coaching.
“Next year we would like to increase the membership of the harrier club and would love
more members of all age groups, 8 and over.
“You do not have to be a talented runner, just keen to give it a go.”
Next season will start in early April.
Athletics have now started at Litt Park, each Wednesday from 5.30pm and there is also coaching for kids at the same venue each day from 3.30pm.
Contact Selwyn on 027 251 8779 or 573 4432 for information.
End of season prize winners
Ellis Hansen: 1st under 17 girls cross country.
Sean By De Lay: 1st boy under 15 cross country and first road champion 2018. Harrison Hennell: 2nd under 15 boy cross country. Alanah Eru: 1st girls under 13 cross country. 1st road champion for 2018
Baylee Hennell: 2nd girls under 13 cross country
Decklan Pettigrew: 1st under 13 boy road championships and Wesley Cup for top points. Jed Rowland: 1st under 13 boys cross country.
Matt Lydford: 1st boy under 11 cross country.
Hadlee Folwer: 2nd cross country and 1st road race under 11 champion.
Lane Rowland: 3rd cross country under 11.
Addison Hennell: 1st cross country under 11 girls. Grace Fowler: 2nd cross country and 1st road champion under 11 girls.
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Next year we would like to increase the membership of the harrier club and would love more members of all age groups, 8 and over.’ SELWYN MAWKES Te Puke Harriers coach