Annie Jerling took line honours in the C grade, beating Willie Blake into second place in what was her first outing in this series. Dave Farlow was the points winner on the day, earning the maximum 22 points on offer. Franky Spite now leads the handicap competition from Judy Brown but, due to overseas travel, Spite will miss the next two races and that could count against her in the final wrap-up.
D grade had the biggest field of the day, 22, and gun quizmaster Chris Cogdale answered a few questions of himself by not only being first home but also picking up enough points to lead on handicap. Rachel Gawith and Annie Hawkes made up the first three home while Roxana Bartlett moved into second on the points table, her 63 points putting her just one behind Cogdale. Sharing third on 60 are Judy Howard and Renee Tonkin.
The E grade walkers continued a pattern with Chris and Ben van Gerven continuing to take the first two placings although it was Rachel Reid who picked up the most handicap points. Chris van Gervan remains series leader on 78 points with son Ben and Michael Teahan joint second on 73.
The junior grade appears to have become something of a three-horse race. Liam Heard and Rhys Gwyther have traded first and second placings across the line with Heard taking the honours on this occasion. Gwyther, however, leads the series with 82 points from Heard on 77 and Oliver Lewis on 76.
Intermediate runners ran a single lap of the course and it was Mathew Heard who was first home, securing the maximum points on handicap. His effort elevated him to second place, behind Tama Bartlett who has 74 points, three more than Heard. Lachlan Chesmar was second home at Rangitimau and Hannah Moore third.
The midget grade ran over a 1km course and Adrian Johnson starred, winning the race and also moving ahead on the handicap points table. He now has 82 points out of a possible 88. Sam Loder and Jordan Robinson both made their first appearance in the series and did well for second and third respectively. Travis Bartlett holds down second on the points table with 76 with Ella Chesmar third .
The next race in the cross-country series will be held at Taueru on June 9, registrations being taken from 9.15am.