Holdsworth runners seek calm

Organisers gearing up for the 24km Jumbo-Holdsworth run on Saturday are hoping for calmer weather than last year.

"We look to have hit the right pocket, with things clearing up after Friday" Liz Nicholson said yesterday.

"Hopefully it will be better than last year with that terrible wind that got them on the tops."

The favourite in the open men's event is likely to be last year's winner Glenn Hughes of Wellington, Mrs Nicholson said.

The open women's event, however, was "looking very open".

Contenders include Kirsty Dobbs, Rachel Halfpenny and Jacky O'Hagan.

Experienced runner Christine Carlton from Gisborne is favourite for the veteran women's event, Mrs Nicholson said, "but it's the veteran men where we expect to see the real struggle".

"We've finally got Graeme Butcher [of Masterton] coming in, during his training for another ultra-marathon. He tells me it's a training run but I said to him, 'You know what you're like, once you get the bit between your teeth, you don't like to have anyone in front of you'."

Rivals include Colin Rolfe of Nelson, who has only missed one race in 18 years, Kelly Holland of Palmerston North and Paul Helm of Wellington.

"Between those four it will be a bit of a tussle. They don't seem to slow down much, even though they're that year older."

Bryn Davies of Lower Hutt was the clear winner last year of the half-length Hooper Loop and is likely to have another crack at the course record.

Piriet Klade, Davies' partner, won the women's Jumbo Holdsworth last year and is doing the shorter run this year, where Mrs Nicholson says the women's course record may be under threat.

A challenger there will be Laura Rhymer of Clareville.

Robert Ruffe-Thomas, 74, of Pahiatua, is also back for another round of the Hooper Loop.