Athletics: Cougars poised to strike again

By Murray McKinnon

The Bays Cougars athletics club again has the strength to nearly scoop the pool in the national road-running relays at Cambridge on Saturday.

World-class triathlete Hamish Carter has been drafted into the Bays senior men's team, who also feature five other New Zealand representatives slotted into the eight-lap event.

World junior championship representative Hamish Thorpe is set down for the first lap of 8.6km starting from Leamington, followed by world cross-country runner Jason Cameron and Carter.

Phil Spratley competes over lap four before handing on to Dale Warrander. The Bays team have a real sting in the tail with Adrian Blincoe, Kerry Rodger and Robbie Johnston kicking them home for what would be their sixth win in a row.

The chase for the silver and bronze medals should be between Scottish of Wellington, Counties Manukau, Hastings and Wellington Harriers.

The Bays women's team, headed by Donna Churton and third- placegetter at the recent world mountain running championship Maree Bunce, should win the women's event for the third year, while the junior men's and junior women's titles should also be retained by the North Harbour club.

Hamilton Hawks and Garden City of Christchurch will give Auckland University a close run in the veteran men, while Pakuranga will have their work cut out to make it four years in a row in the over-50s relay ahead of Wellington Harriers.

Takapuna, Scottish and Hamilton Hawks should battle out the veteran women.