DORNE CUP
Athletics and Cycling Masterton [ACM] runners came with wins from the 2023 Dorne Cup Athletics Wellington interclub cross-country event at Trentham Memorial Park on Saturday.
Graeme Butcher led home the field in the men’s 6km race in a time of 25 minutes and seven seconds, which also gave him victory in the men’s 60-64 grade. A fit again, Tony Price won the men’s 65-69 grade in 28min 28sec with clubmate Malcolm MacDonald holding on for third in 29min 59sec.
Other meritorious results were Franky Spite finishing fourth in the women’s 60-64 grade, and David Farlow was fifth in the men’s 70-plus grade.
The next interclub event is the Wellington Cross Country Championships at Harcourt Park, Upper Hutt, on July 16.
CROSS-COUNTRY SERIES
A new course based around Mt Bruce Hall was the venue for the fifth race in the ACM Harriers’ cross-country series on Sunday.
The course consisted of a 4km loop with a 2km loop branching off after 500m so that runners had the option of four different distances. The course started on a trail before crossing various paddocks with the 4km loop featuring a stream crossing.
The 8km race was won by Gavin Champion in 40min 16sec, while Price and MacDonald backed up from the previous day’s Dorne Cup with second and third placings, respectively.
Andrew Hayes was best over 6km winning in 25min 11sec with the Miller family, Brooke [first woman], Daniel and Corey taking the next three spots. Rachel Gawith and Lesley Graham were the next women to finish.
Whana Gordon took line honours in the 4km race in 17min 6sec, followed by Esther Gleeson and Justin Miller.
Young Lexus Hunter made no race of it over 2km, winning in 9min 54sec with Cruize Croaell second and Ryley Macklin third.
The next race in the series is on Sunday, June 25, at Rewanui Forest Park.
