Edmond Cup set to be run in seriously wet conditions
Becky de la Harpe shapes as a favourite in what looks to be a wet running of the Edmonds Cup today. PHOTO: LINDA ROBERTSON
Today's Edmond Cup is shaping up to be one of the wetter editions in the event's long history.
The cross-country race — which dates back to 1916 — has seen its share of adverse conditions over the years, but this will be a test of the newest iteration of the course at Ōtākou Golf Club, with a heavy rain warning in effect.
Longtime Edmond Cup-observer Bruce Beath believes the course will fare better than previous venues, crediting the course's absorbent fairways and good runoff for — hopefully — preventing the ankle-deep mud that many harriers' stalwarts will recall from previous races.
In the women's 8km race, Becky de la Harpe shapes up as the firm favourite.
The Caversham athlete has been in lifetime-best form this year, recording the fastest women's time at every race she has contested this winter. A recent 5km personal best of 17min 55sec reinforces this status.
A victory on Saturday would boost her credentials as one of the top distance runners in the South at present.
Others in that category include Becky Aitkenhead (currently on parental leave following the birth of her son), recent NZ secondary schools' champion Siena Mackley and NZ schools' representative Millie McFadzien.
However, cross-country never provides dead certainties. With defending champion Taryn McLean not competing, Aly Craigie and Alice Cuthbert will be striving to finish on the podium.
In the men's race, Oli Chignell will not be returning to defend his title, as he is preparing for the Gold Coast Half Marathon on July 6.
The six-time champion beat 2023 champion Ollie O'Sullivan last year over 8km, so with Chignell out of action, the now 38-year-old O'Sullivan will be seeking to return to the top step of the podium.
O'Sullivan finished metres ahead of fellow contender Graham Fisher at the Barnes Cross Country earlier in the month, so the race is destined to be tight.
Children's and walking events begin at 2pm today. The blue-riband 8km event begins at 2:40pm, with abridged 4km and 6km races running alongside featuring many local junior and master's athletes. An indoor venue will be available for spectators.
— Luke Geddes
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Otago Daily Times
2 days ago
- Otago Daily Times
Edmond Cup set to be run in seriously wet conditions
Becky de la Harpe shapes as a favourite in what looks to be a wet running of the Edmonds Cup today. PHOTO: LINDA ROBERTSON Today's Edmond Cup is shaping up to be one of the wetter editions in the event's long history. The cross-country race — which dates back to 1916 — has seen its share of adverse conditions over the years, but this will be a test of the newest iteration of the course at Ōtākou Golf Club, with a heavy rain warning in effect. Longtime Edmond Cup-observer Bruce Beath believes the course will fare better than previous venues, crediting the course's absorbent fairways and good runoff for — hopefully — preventing the ankle-deep mud that many harriers' stalwarts will recall from previous races. In the women's 8km race, Becky de la Harpe shapes up as the firm favourite. The Caversham athlete has been in lifetime-best form this year, recording the fastest women's time at every race she has contested this winter. A recent 5km personal best of 17min 55sec reinforces this status. A victory on Saturday would boost her credentials as one of the top distance runners in the South at present. Others in that category include Becky Aitkenhead (currently on parental leave following the birth of her son), recent NZ secondary schools' champion Siena Mackley and NZ schools' representative Millie McFadzien. However, cross-country never provides dead certainties. With defending champion Taryn McLean not competing, Aly Craigie and Alice Cuthbert will be striving to finish on the podium. In the men's race, Oli Chignell will not be returning to defend his title, as he is preparing for the Gold Coast Half Marathon on July 6. The six-time champion beat 2023 champion Ollie O'Sullivan last year over 8km, so with Chignell out of action, the now 38-year-old O'Sullivan will be seeking to return to the top step of the podium. O'Sullivan finished metres ahead of fellow contender Graham Fisher at the Barnes Cross Country earlier in the month, so the race is destined to be tight. Children's and walking events begin at 2pm today. The blue-riband 8km event begins at 2:40pm, with abridged 4km and 6km races running alongside featuring many local junior and master's athletes. An indoor venue will be available for spectators. — Luke Geddes
Otago Daily Times
18-06-2025
- Otago Daily Times
Cold brings ‘perfect day' for rejigged competition
A cool and crisp day greeted about 100 athletes who took part in the Barnes Cross Country race last Sunday. Runners and walkers setting off from Kettle Park had the benefit of firm ground conditions for the competition. Caversham Harrier & Athletic Club's Nicholas Duncan sped around the 1.25km loop in 5min 22sec to top the boys under-10 grade, while Hill City-University's Stella Hawken won the girls under-10 in 5min 47sec. Perry Saker (Caversham) claimed the boys under-12 honours in 4min 54sec and Genevieve Hodgson (Hill City-University) headed the girls under-12 in 5min 12sec. In the two laps (2.5 km) category, Hill City-University pair Luie Broom (9min 50sec) and Penelope Hodgson (10min 38sec) secured the boys and girls under-14 titles respectively. Will Bolter (Hill City-University) was the day's quickest under-16, clocking 8min 16sec, with Caversham's Eve Kelleher taking the girls under-16 in a sharp 9min 30sec. Eight competitors lined up for the 5km walk. Veteran Phil Coakes (Caversham) won the men's 75-79 category in 47min 24sec and Glenda Norris (Leith) won the women's 70-74 category at 35min 43sec. Age-group victories in the women's walk went to Lara Findlater (50-54, 38min 50sec), Sharyn Bungard (55-59, 38min 29sec) and Jo Little (60-64, 38min 15sec). The largest field tackled the 5km run, where Hill City-University's Jake Owen set the day's benchmark of 15min 49sec in the men 20-24 category. Caversham's Becky De La Harpe was the fastest woman, finishing in 18min 2sec in the 20-34 category. Other age-group winners included Oliver O'Sullivan (men 35-39, 16min 30sec), Hamish Dobson (men 40-44, 18min 28sec), Jonathan Ryan (men 45-49, 18min 21sec), Kristy Eyles (women 40-44, 19min 32sec) and Jade Lee (women 50-54, 27min 2sec). Leith Harrier & Athletic Club president Chris Sole was the first athlete to cross the finish line in the 5km run, clocking an actual time of 26min 10sec after his nine-minute handicap start. Sole said alterations to the course at this year's event, including reversing the direction and eliminating two short connecting tracks, made for a better course which included a "fun" short sharp hill climb. The conditions made for a "perfect day" for the rejigged race. "Taking a risk, participating in events, supporting one another, may evoke a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction that is personally uplifting, possibly enjoyable and fun." This had the effect of having far-reaching positive impact on the wider training group and families, he said. "This impact cannot be measured. You win, we all win."
Otago Daily Times
15-06-2025
- Otago Daily Times
Popular winner for cross country
It has been 23 years since Chris Sole first called Otago home, but yesterday was the first time the Leith Harriers president could call himself Barnes Cross Country Champion. The 67-year-old took the lead from club-mate Jocelyn Springthorpe after the halfway mark of the prestigious 5km handicap race and never looked back. 'I thought there must be someone ahead of me,' Sole said moments after his victory. His attention had already switched to helping reel in the hundreds of metres of polytape which had marked the course. 'Nobody told me that I was in the lead.' The scene summed up much of who Sole is. Beloved by many on the Otago athletics scene, he has at some point been coach or physiotherapist for much of the field, which poured in pursuit down Kettle Park's final hilly bank during the race's final stretch. Having achieved much in the sport during his younger years, Sole continues to compete in Masters and handicap races, while also dedicating significant time to volunteering and growing the running movement in Dunedin. 'Showing up to these events — it's about continuing to challenge yourself.' The modest champion was not speaking exclusively of himself, but also the 93 other racers who took to yesterday's start line, many of whom attend the semiweekly trainings Sole organises on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. 'It's really about continuing to strive to be better — showing up to an extra training each week and enjoying running with others.' As much as he focuses on supporting others' goals, Sole quietly enjoyed the moment of realising his own victory but relished even more encouraging others to push hard towards the finish line. Among the many finishing behind him was Hill City-University's Jake Owen, who came from the back of the field to record the fastest 5km split in 15min 49sec. Meg McKay (also HCU) recorded the fastest women's time of 19min 15sec on a day which yielded perfect winter conditions. Hill City-University won the 5km teams race, while Fergus Lloyd (community runner) was first over the line in the under-16 handicapped 2.5km. William Bolter (HCU) was fastest man in 8min 16sec and Eve Kelleher (Caversham) fastest woman in 9min 30sec. HCU was the top junior team. Phil Coakes (Caversham) led from scratch to secure victory in the 5km walks, although he was chased hard by Jo Little (Caversham) over the closing stages who, starting 9min 30sec behind Coakes, recorded the fastest time of 38min 15sec to come within 50m of snatching victory. Their combined efforts helped to secure the team walks title for Caversham. Many athletes, including Sole, will now take a week off racing before turning their attention to the Edmond Cup cross country on June 28. — Luke Geddes
