Hard, hot and humid' series start

Harriers

The Masterton Harriers' summer series resumed last Sunday with an event starting from the club's headquarters at the Colin Pugh Sports Bowl.

Although the walkers, juniors and midgets competed over their traditional courses, the 9.4km course for the senior runners was extended around Henley Lake before continuing up Gordon Street and then over Nikau Heights.

Given the warm conditions, an A grade runner summed up the race as "hard, hot and humid".

Some regular members were away at other events and others on holiday but 51 competitors still took part.

Andrew Davenport won the A grade race in 35min 58secs from handicap winner Michael Macklin with Lloyd Millar retaining the overall series lead. Other senior grades winners were Tim Matthews, William Blake and Jim Barr respectively.

The race for points leader in C grade remains close with Annie Hawkes leading Richard Hawkes by a single point. Denise Baker has taken over the points leadership in B grade.

Kay Davenport won the walk with Gordon Burden points leader there while Chris Blake heads all the cateogries on the junior grade. Carlos McRae won the midget division with Kasey Cox securing the handicap prize and Acacia Blake taking over as series leader.

Results:

A grade: Race winner: Andrew Davenport 35mins 58secs. Handicap winner: Michael Macklin. Points leader: Lloyd Millar.

B grade: Race winner: Tim Matthews 44mins 2secs. Handicap winner: Tim Matthews. Points leader: Denise Baker.

C grade: Race winner: William Blake 50min 48secs. Handicap winner: Richard Hawkes. Points leader: Annie Hawkes.

D grade: Race winner: Jim Barr 54mins 50secs. Handicap winner: Gordon Reid. Points leader: Claudia Baechie.

E grade (walkers): Race winner: Kay Davenport 52mins 20secs. Handicap winner: Robyn Weston. Points leader: Gordon Burden.

Junior: Race winner: Chris Blake 20min 57secs. Handicap winner: Chris Blake. Points leader: Chris Blake.

Midgets grade: Race winner: Carlos McRae 9mins 17secs. Handicap winner: Kasey Cox. Points leader: Acacia Blake.