27-06-2025
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
