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Otago Daily Times
29-06-2025
- Climate
- Otago Daily Times
Cup race cancelled
A wet day was predicted and a downpour delivered. A rare cancellation of the Edmond Cup happened on Saturday as torrential rain hit the coastal Otago region. Seasoned observer Bruce Beath expected the course at the Ōtākou Golf Club would hold up better than previous iterations, and the multiple event placegetter was proven right as the absorbent fairways meant muddy areas were minimised, although visible surface flooding observed on Saturday afternoon would have made for an even wetter day for athletes. Athletics Otago said in a statement the decision to cancel was made in the interests of the safety of competitors, volunteers and supporters. It is believed the decision was made pragmatically based on the Dunedin City Council's recommendation to avoid all non-essential travel, alongside the early indications of potential rockfalls along Portobello Rd. Beath recalled many worse conditions, including "horizontal snow" in years gone by, but conceded the right decision was made. "I expect the golfers would not have been happy to have the course churned up by runners' spikes. "[The weather conditions] could have resulted in us all sleeping in our cars overnight if the road was to be closed." Becky de la Harpe, the women's pre-race favourite, will have to wait for another tilt at her maiden title. She said while it was a shame the race was cancelled, her attention had already turned firmly toward the Otago cross-country and New Zealand cross-country championships. The Otago cross-country is at Chisholm Links on July 13, while the national championships are at a Hagley Park circuit in Christchurch on August 2-3. With a growing southern contingent assembling, some strong teams could be in the running for national titles. By Luke Geddes
Otago Daily Times
27-06-2025
- Climate
- 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
15-06-2025
- Sport
- 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
