Taieri Harriers report 2 September 2017

The club road race championships, held around the North Taieri circuit, over a distance of 5 km,

drew an enthusiastic and good-sized field. Some light drizzle seen the starters on their way, but this did not seem to matter too much, as there was no wind to contend with.

Graeme Murphie, was the surprise package for the day, better known for his veteran efforts on the track, in the summer, set off at a very strong pace, obviously with the view to have a good stride-out. After 3 kms of the journey, he had distanced himself from the rest of the field, and powered home, to cross the line in 20 mins 24 sec.

Not only did he savor victory, he slashed 30 seconds off his time from last year. Another veteran,

Ken Wyber, produced a run that suggests there is plenty of gas left in the tank, easing over the line in second place, 22 min 04 sec., followed closely by Janice Finnie 22 min 07 sec., and Richard Finnie 22 min 59 sec.

The various grade winners were –

Open Women - Tarryn-Ann Fahey 1st 24 min 34 sec.

Women 35-39 -  Wendy Paterson 1st 23 min 45 sec., Ruth Fahey 2nd 25 min 05 sec., Sharon Findlay 3rd 25 min 07 sec.

Women 50-59 -  Janice Finnie 1st 22 min 07 sec., Pam Wyber 2nd 26 min 46 sec., 3rd Jan Day 27 min 47 sec.

Men 50-59  Ken Wyber 1st 22 min 04 sec., Richard Finnie 2nd 22 min 59 sec., 3rd Mike Dooley 23 min 20 sec.

Men 60-69 - 1st Donal May 23 min 39 sec.

The Open walk - provided Tom Cockerill with his first club championship, 32 min 28 sec., while two of the club’s power walkers, Lynda Kelly and Naomi Chisman, went stride for stride, as they have all season, only three seconds separating them at the finish. Lynda prevailed in 34 min 37 sec., Naomi 34 min 40 sec.