Annual Report 2002

Selected sections of the Club’s Annual Report 2002 (covering the period 1 Oct 2001–30 Sep 2002).

Also available: Annual Report 2001 | Annual Report 2000

Contents

1. Life Members
2. Office Bearers 2001/02
3. President’s Report
4. Club Captain’s Report
5. Club Results and Trophy Winners
• Club Championships
• Club Races
• Performance Trophies
• OHC Open Races
• 2001 Interclub races
• Other Awards

Life Members

C H Grant, D Gratton, N Hopkins, C H Jelley, F C Mair, B J Rush, L Smith, D J Sunderland, B Watson, K E Wood, D Bradley, B Prosser, M McGaughran, O Lenihan.

Office Bearers 2001/02

President’s Report

Another season has passed and it is now time to reflect on what we as a club and as individual members have achieved over the last year.

It has been, without doubt, one of most successful for members when we consider no less than seven were selected to represent or be reserves for the New Zealand Mountain Running teams. All participants ran to the best of their abilities and all gained creditable finishing places. Particular mention and congratulations go to Moana Burt and Barry Prosser for finishing in the top four in their respective races.

We now have a very strong junior men's team who are making an impressions in centre races and if we can keep this group together the future looks bright in men's racing. Just shows you what a little in-club competition produces.

Also watch out for the under 14 boys who are already building a strong team and by the comments I hear they are certainly motivated for next season.

Jane Nalder has proven that she is a force in the junior women’s grade and with her selection in the NZ training squad we can expect to see more impressive results.

Our walking group just keeps getting bigger. We must thank our Patron Charlie Grant for the success in this area. Well done to you all.

On the financial side the committee elected to reduce members’ subscriptions and approve expenditure on both club equipment and increased travelling subsidies. This was achieved as a result of fundraising at our annual 5km series and the City of Wellington Full and Half Marathon. Please support these events and your committee may be able to repeat this year’s support.

Thanks must go to our sponsors The Phoenix Trust, Johnsonville Licensing Trust and the Hillary Commission. Please support Jay’s Bar in Johnsonville, Compass Bar in Porirua, Spud and Duchess Bar in Newtown and the Trax Bar and Café at the Wellington Railway Station.

My thanks go to all the committee members who worked hard throughout the year and in particular a big thanks to Mike Waterman for his excellent work with our web site and his skill with our new camera.

This will be my last President’s report as I will be unavailable for the next season and at this stage I must record my thanks to Murray McGaughran for his help and assistance over the past two years. The amount of work Murray puts into our club is unbelievable and to see quality runners coming through now is just reward for Murray and his coaching duties.

Have fun over the summer and I look forward to seeing you next season.

Captain’s Report

It’s been a pleasure to carry out the Club Captain’s duties for the Olympic Harrier Club during the 2002 season. To say it’s been a learning curve would be an understatement. From setting up cross country courses, to arranging trophy engraving I’m sure I stepped outside my boundaries. A special thanks goes to Murray McGaughran, the fount of all knowledge for the club. Without Murray’s help life would have been more difficult indeed. We did survive however and quite successfully. There were a number of highlights at Centre, National and World Mountain Running Champs.

Early season saw the Club again organise the Shaw Baton Relays at Battle Hill. Our results were not overly impressive, but it was a success organisation-wise. The Masters Men did win the 250 plus grade of the Vets Classic Relays at Trentham and in fact finished third overall in a fine performance.

Locally the Club Cross Country Champs were held in atrocious conditions at Bryant’s Farm at Ohariu Valley. A cold southerly and heavy rain made conditions most unpleasant, but the antics of a number of runners made for an enjoyable day. As the stream rose Lyndon McGaughran was awarded 9.9 points for his dive head first into the water on the final lap. A number of others literally dived and slid over the finish line with Jerome Sheppard’s twist being a highlight. Fortunately no one drowned though Sharon Walker’s attempted short cut through the stream was almost her demise as she submerged completely, much to the mirth of the lifeguards (officials) on duty.

The Grand Memorial races were held at the same location in fine and very pleasant conditions. These are handicap races and commemorate club members who lost their lives in World Wars I and II and the trophies presented signify this and have a long history. Barry Rush spoke of the significance of these races at the afternoon tea. Also because of the handicap conditions anyone can win, not necessarily the fastest runner. Anthony Gardner, Jean Skilton and Chris Ward were first across the line in their races.

Membership wise saw an increase in the number of women runners including Jane Nalder and Moana Burt who both competed successfully at National level. The highlight for Moana, being fourth in the women’s grade at the World Mountain Running Champs in Austria. Hopefully our numbers will continue to grow here as it is an area that we have often struggled. The Senior men struggled numbers wise, losing Stephen Walker to the USA (again) while the Masters Men surprised with some of their performances. Barry Prosser had a particularly strong season. The juniors look promising and the next two or three seasons should see them gain higher rewards. Charlie Grant, our Patron, continued to look after an active walking group over the season.

Keep up the running and walking over summer and I look forward to seeing you in 2003.

Club Results and Trophy Winners

See the full list of trophies and competitions and their criteria for being awarded.

Club Championships

Club Races

Performance Trophies

OHC Open Races

2002 Interclub Races

Other Awards

See the full list of trophies and competitions for a description of the other awards.