Malcolm MacDonald was third in the A-grade handicap, while Sally Duffy was Queen of the Mountain for the third time. PHOTO/FILE
ATHLETICS
The final race of the ACM Masterton Harriers summer series produced a plethora of winners across different categories, and some memorable milestones in the process.
Graeme Butcher was crowned King of the Mountain for the 15th time after the iconic but gruelling Rangitumau run, which has been part of the club’s programme since 1983 and is the only course which has remained unchanged over that period.
As well as deciding the overall points winners for the series, there are several trophies attached to the race – the King and Queen of the Mountain for the first male and female finishers; the fastest senior runner and the winner of C-grade.
The A-grade winner and King of the Mountain was Butcher, who recorded a time of 67mins 19secs.
He had also won the title on 14 previous occasions from 1999 to 2016.
Butcher’s performance also placed him second in the handicap behind Ryan Teahan, with Malcolm MacDonald third.
The overall series victory also went to Butcher, with Davenport second and Barrie Joslin third.
The Queen of the Mountain title went to Sally Duffy for the third time, after she recorded a time of 77.11.
Another previous title winner still competing on the day was nine-times winner Lesley Graham, who was the winner of B-grade in a time of 81.56.
John Gordon took the handicap from Roger Jones and Graham.
The series winner for B-grade was Rachel Gawith.
There was a good contest in C-grade where there was a trophy as well as the series honour at stake. Greg Baillie won the trophy in 1:40.31.
Josh Price was but took the handicap from Chris Wilson and Franky Spite.
The overall series went to David Farlow with Ruby Morrison second and Wilson third.
Chris Cogdale was first home in D-grade in 1:08.53.
Paula Bailey won the handicap from Jenny Braaksma and Chris van Gerven, but the latter was the overall winner from Claudia Baechle and Braaksma.
It was a very good day for Lloyd Millar in E-grade where he won the race, and took both maximum handicap points and the overall series.
Millar’s time was 1:46.05.
Lee-Ann Angove was second in the handicap with Robert Ruffe-Thomas third.
Annie Jerling was second overall and Angove third.
Brian Sanders won the walkers’ event completing the course in 2:11.42.
Handicap honours went to Selena McKay, followed by Linda Hannam and Stan Braaksma.
John Ihaka claimed the overall series victory from Don McLachlan and Alison Nagel.
The junior race was won by Clifford Rowe-Penny who recorded 19.28 for 4km, with Brooke Miller second and Justin Miller third.
The same three, in the same order, secured the overall standings, although on the day Justin Miller took maximum points followed by Rowe-Penny and Brooke Miller.
A close finish in the midget race saw Hunter Johnston pip Lachie Duffy by one second in a time of 9.50.
William Gawith was third in 10.43. Lachie Duffy took the handicap from William Gawith and Hunter Johnston, and the overall series winner was William Gawith.
