Final push as season comes to close

Athletics and Cycling Masterton harrier section completed their club trophy series with the last of the winter season runs on Sunday.

More than 50 runners and walkers turned up to the Lansdowne trails at Fourth Street to tackle courses of between 2km and 8km under an open handicap format.

With the weather threatening to turn nasty, the races were fortunately all run in dry and relatively calm conditions, allowing all the contenders for the final aggregate points trophies a good chance to pick up points.

First to cross the finish line was Annie Hawkes, competing in the masters women 8km grade, and her performance ultimately secured her the season's aggregate points trophy.

Close behind was Jack Murray who was in the under-11 grade racing over a 2km course. He beat home elder sister Emily by 13secs.

Graeme Butcher, in the walking grade, was the first to complete the one lap 4km course although he was pushed by Gordon Burdon who fell away to 18secs difference over the full distance.

John Gibbons completed a double by being the first senior man to complete the 8km course, having won the Cameron Cup event two weeks previous.

The longer course included two ascents of the track.

Dominic Green and Lloyd Millar also completed double wins for the series, having earlier won their opening scratch races. Green kept Chris van Gervan at bay by 9secs in the men's 40-plus grade while Millar was a mere 6secs ahead of Brian Sanders.

Michael Macklin was the fastest runner over the full 8km course in 30min 12secs.

Final placings for aggregate points trophies were;

Under-11's Simonek Cup: Jack Murray.

Girls under-14 McKay Cup: Lily Moore.

Junior Women J.G McKay Rose Bowl: Shayla Farley.

Boys under-14 MHC Cup: Mathew Heard.

Junior men Teahan Trophy: Finn Hawkes.

Masters women Wallis Rose Bowl: Annie Hawkes

Senior men Shaw Rose Bowl: Michael Macklin.

Masters men Wardell Cup: Dominic Green.

Masters men 50yrs Trust House Cup: Lloyd Millar.