Also impressive in winning their events were Aaron Pulford from Hamilton in the Men’s 19, Wellington’s Gabrielle O’Rourke in the Masters Women, Richard Bennett (Canterbury) retaining his title in the Masters Men and Grace McConnochie from Hawke’s Bay Gisborne in the Women’s 16.

Local Kāpiti Harrier and Multisport Club runners did their best against tough competition. The most notable performance came from promising Girls 14 runner Holly White who was seventh in her race. Tim Stewart, running in the Wellington Centre team, also impressed with 23rd place in a large Men’s 19 field. Of the other local junior competitors, Naomi Dyer was 11th and Tegan Binkhorst 12th in the Girls 12 event while Ballad Woodley-Hanan, Sam Bence and Lachie Twyford were 13th, 15th and 16th respectively in the Boys 12 race. Sarah Twyford came in 18th in the Girls 14 race while Mitchell Rutter finished 20th in the equivalent Boys event.

Of the seniors, Masters Woman Suzi Richards clocked an impressive 33.49 in the 8km Open Women’s race and Andy Burns ran consistently in the Open Men’s event. Kate Jenkins was the sole local competitor in the Masters Women’s 6km race and finished 6th in her last year in the 45-49 grade. Of the Master’s Men, Ross Twyford and Malcolm Dwyer were 16th and 17th in the 40-44 group, Paul Binkhorst and Bruce Jenkins 8th and 12th in the 45-49 and Roger Childs 7th in the 65-69 grade.

This was the last of six regional and national cross country races organised by the local club at Waikanae Park. President Ross Twyford paid tribute to the club members for their efforts. “It’s been a fantastic effort by our committee, members and supporters to run these events in what has certainly been the busiest year in the club’s history.”
All five members of the Twyford family actually competed on the day with two year old Eva and mother Karen running in the midday 10 and under race.