Races

The harrier season is jam-packed with races, with one every second weekend, on average.

In addition to the races listed below, the club is usually invited to join another club for one of their races during the year. (In 2001, we joined Wellington Harriers for their Resnick Cup, and in 2000 we joined Scottish for a 10km handicap race out at Titahi Bay.)

Contents

• The Club races
1. Club championships (cross country and road)
2. Grand Memorial races and Old Members’ Day
3. Maiden & Perston races
4. Perston Baton Relay Race
5. Philp Shield
• The Inter-Club races
1. Shaw Baton Relay
2. University Cross Country Relay
3. Battle Hill 5km Cross Country Race
4. Vosseler Shield
5. Dorne Cup
6. Masters 8km Road Race
7. Centre Cross Country Championships
8. Bays Relay
9. Valleys Relay
• The National races
1. NI Cross Country Champs
2. National Road Relay Champs
• Club Trophies

The Club Races

This is a list of the races that Olympic Harriers participates in over the season

Club championships

The club has two club championships, one for cross country and one for road racing:

(a) Club cross country championships

This is held at Bryant’s Farm, Boom Rock Rd, out at Ohariu Valley each year, and incorporates a Sealed Handicap competition. The event has a number of club trophies at stake throughout the various grades, with certificates for the first three across the line for each grade.

The course is undulating and can be boggy and muddy depending on the weather that prevails. A demanding course.

The race grades and race distances are:

(b) Club Road Racing Championships

The event has a number of Club Trophies at stake throughout the various grades, with certificates for the first three across the line for each grade.

This event is held at the WellTech in Heretaunga, Lower Hutt. The course is flat and fast. The race grades and race distances are:

Grand Memorial races and Old Members’ Day

The event is a starting handicap event for the Over 14 runners in the club, with the Under 14 Grade having a scratch race on the day. That means that runners will start their race at different times to others in the field. The slowest runners will start off and gradually, other runners will also start until finally the “backmarkers” – the fastest runners or runner, start last. The Club handicappers decide who starts when (just to let you know who to blame...)

• In the Juniors Over 14 a trophy is given for the first runner across the line and for fastest time.
• The Women's event, a trophy is given for the first runner across the line and for fastest time.
• For the Seniors and Masters, the first 3 across the line receive a trophy, plus a trophy for fastest time.

The race is held at Bryant’s Farm, Boom Rock Rd out at Ohariu Valley – the same place as the Club Cross Country champs, although the course is different. The course is flat-ish with numerous small creek crossings – excellent racing usually prevails on this course.

The race grades and race distances are:

The Women and the juniors race is combined but race for different grade trophies.

It is also Old Members’ Day, when past members of the club gather and is highlighted by an afternoon tea back at the clubrooms after the races.

Maiden & Perston races

The first race of the season for many, this is an excellent introduction for new members to cross country racing - it is run over just 2km and involves “true” cross country.

Held at Newlands College, these are also the official trial races for the selectors to pick their teams for the Shaw Baton Interclub Relay the following week. There are two races, both run on the same course:

(a) Maiden Race

This race is for members who have NEVER won an individual trophy from a race, won on either handicap (1st place) or outright from a club or interclub race. In many cases, new members will start in this event.

In addition, there is a sealed handicap.

The outright winner of the race and the sealed handicap winner are given a trophy and earn “promotion” to the Perston race next season.

(b) Perston Memorial Race

The race is for members who HAVE won an individual trophy from a race, won on either handicap (1st place) or outright from a club or interclub race.

In addition, there is a sealed handicap.

The outright winner of the race and the sealed handicap winner are each given a trophy.

Perston Baton Relay Race

This club event is a cross country relay that is held at Karori Park. It is a fun event with some close racing usually prevailing.

The winning team members receive a Baton, and have their names engraved on the Trophy to commemorate this event.

A 5 lap event, the race uses a circuit of about 2.3km around Karori Park. It is mostly a grass course, but contains a tough hill at the back of the course, and a stream crossing. All grades are catered for with the first and third runners of each team completing one circuit, the second and fourth completing two, and the fifth runner completing three. The club meets at the park where the club handicappers & selectors pick the teams.

Philp Shield

This event is a club teams race where everyone who finishes will count for their team. A race over quite short distances, a good preparation for the Road Champs.

The winning team members receive a Baton, and have their names engraved on the Trophy to commemorate this event.

Members meet at the clubrooms to pick the teams and then head to West Park School for the race.

The race distances will vary. The Under 14s run a shortened distance of 2.5km and start first, followed by the remainder of the field who run 5km. The two race fields converge at the finish. How many team members count is determined by the number in each team on the day of the race.

The course at is undulating and all road.

The Inter-Club Races

The Club participates in and organises a number of interclub events over the winter season.

Shaw Baton Relay

This is traditionally the first interclub cross country race of the season. It is organised by the club, and is held at Battle Hill, near Pauahatanui. The race distance is approximately 2km.

The relay is split into a number of grades:

University Cross Country Relay

This interclub cross country relay is held at QEII Park in Paekakariki over a firm 3.5km course incorporating sandunes.

There are three races:

• A scratch race for Juniors Under 20 over 1 lap (3.5km)
• Womens Relay - 4 × 3.5km
• Mens relay - 6 × 3.5km

Battle Hill 5km Cross Country Race

This 5km race is held at Battle Hill, on a 2 lap course that is similar to the Shaw Baton Relay but with some extra hills thrown in.

Vosseler Shield

For many this event is the toughest race that club members will encounter during the season.

It is held at Mt Victoria over a very undulating, cross country course through the trails that run through the hills. Trophies and medals are awarded to the team winners and the first 3 in each grade. Spot prizes are also offered in addition to the elite prizelist.

The races are, with team event details:

Dorne Cup

This event is held at Trentham Memorial Park over a flat & fast course.

The race is essentially a team event, with just the outright winner and the team winners being awarded medals.

The races are, with team event details:

Masters 8km Road Race

This race is organised by the Club and run around the street of Johnsonville. The race is held on a Sunday. The course is undulating.

While open for Masters, pre-Masters are more than welcome to run.

Centre Cross Country Championships

This is the final cross country race of the season for many club members (apart from the Perston Baton Club relay).

Medals are given to the first 3 and team winners in each grade.

This event is usually held at Waikanae over a part flat, part undulating course - all cross country and includes jumps.

Bays Relay

This is the first interclub road relay of the season. The 5 lap race begins at Island Bay Beach, heads around the coastline, and finishes at Kilbirnie, just opposite Kilbimie Park. The races and the laps are as follows:

• Walkers 5k (first leg of relay only)
• Senior Women, Women 19 and under, Masters Women 35+
• Senior Men, Men 19 and under, Masters Men 40+

Lap descriptions are as follows:

Valleys Relay

This race is held on a Sunday, with the weekend being that of the NZ Cross Country Champs. This is another 5 lap race, only the laps are longer and of a greater terrain difference. The other difference is the make-up of the teams for the “Mixed” relay event.

There are two races:

• Women’s relay, held over 4 laps - laps 2 to 5.
• Mixed Relay A, B & C Grades, held over 5 laps.

The “Mixed” team can consist of 1 open runner (any grade), 2 senior men, 1 masters man and 1 junior. The lap descriptions are as follows:

The National Races

NI Cross Country Champs

Half-national anyway…

The NI Cross Country Champs is a huge event held in Taupo in early July. The event is held at Spa Park, which because of its free-draining volcanic soil is usually hard and fast. There are 15 races run over the day for all grades, with distances right down to 1km for the 9 and unders. And as it is also the Club’s mid-winter club trip, it is also a social weekend for the whole family - put it in your diary early!

Everyone counts for team (and club) results; the grades and distances are as follows:

National Road Relay Champs

As the last event of the harrier season, it is also the climax for the year. After a winter of hard training, now’s the time to see it all pay off. Usually more than 150 teams from all around the country compete, and it’s a great opportunity to see the country’s top athletes compete. The course varies; in 2002 it was a new course at Feilding, in 2001 it was the Takahe to Akaroa relay, and in 2000 it was Motueka to Nelson. The trip is subsidised by the club, and anyone who wants to run will be put in a team, so don't miss it.