Harrier season opens with run in the park
Invercargill’s Queens Park in autumn is a vibrant display of earthy colours and falling leaves. But a number of people were not there to admire the surroundings; their objective running the traditional 3-6-9 race, the opening event of the Southland Harriers season.
Runners choose the distance they want to race. Someone wanting a short, fast race opts for the 3km, anyone wanting to test endurance choose the 9km. And those who can’t decide, well there’s the 6kkm choice.
All distances started together, giving runners the chance to change their minds on how far to race during the event – some who thought they would do the 3k carried on to race 6k and possibly there were some who started out with 9 or 6k intentions and went through the finish chute a lap earlier.
William Berkers who is more at home in high jump and sprints, easily won the 3k option in 11.30. He headed in impressive runs from youngster Craig Iversen Jnr and first girl Abby O’Boyle (13), 12.22 to 12.23 in a sprint finish.
Caption: Craig Iversen (9k winner) and James Mcleay (6k winner) leading out. Photo: Lance Smith
James McLeay gave himself a confidence booster for the upcoming Southland Secondary Schools Crosscountry Champs with a 2-minute win over Ben Scott in the 6km, running 20.57. He did, however, learn a valuable lesson in that a pottle of chips too close to race start can and will cause stitch.
Kimberley Iversen showed she will be a threat at the schools crosscountry with a notable 23.23 to be first girl over 6km.
Caption: Finn Dallow and dad Ross proving grinners are winners. Photo Lance Smith
Dad Craig continued the Iversen dominance by easily posting the fastest time over 9k, 31.54
While many treated it as more a fun run than a serious race, the event gives high school runners an indication of form for the Southland Secondary School Crosscountry Champs mid next week and has a big bearing on handicaps for the coming handicap series ... so there was a bit riding on it.
Regardless of the battle up front, the most exciting aspect of the event was the number of youngsters taking part. Second highlight: the number of parents who ran, either with their child or as a race for themselves. Harriers is a family sport after all.
