18-06-2025
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."
