Competitive relay races expected in the ‘gallop’

GALLOPS and canters are usually left for the horses.

But Dunedin’s top runners will be gunning for those titles at the Leith cross country relays and Ponydale Challenge today. The 42nd cross country relays are run in conjunction with the ponydale challenge, which was added in 2019, giving the event another layer, at the Dunedin Pony Club grounds in Three

Mile Hill.

Always a popular fixture at the start of the cross country calendar, the race has attracted strong numbers across the fourperson team relay event in all age groups from under14 to masters.

But the men’s and women’s open relays — appropriately named the ‘‘gallop’’ — are the ones to watch again.

Leith and Caversham are defending champions of the men’s and women’s titles respectively and will be looking to their third consecutive wins. But Hill CityUniversity are tipped as favourites this year after a strong showing at the Lovelock Relays recently, alongside Leith in the women’s relay. Ariki also looks good led by Catherine Lund.

The Ponydale Challenge also continues to gain traction with more than 20 competitors entered yesterday afternoon.

The challenge tasks athletes to run or walk as many laps of the 2km course in three hours. Caversham runner Ben Pigou is back to defend his title from last season. He set a record of 18 laps in 2hr 56mins and 12sec.

Emma Timmis (Don Greig Racing Stables) holds the women’s record from last year running 16 laps in 2hours 53mins and 39sec.

Racing starts at 12.30pm.