It is the way with runners: busy schedules, tiredness, adverse weather, injury – just challenges to increase our determination to get out and run. As water will find a way to flow around any obstacle, so will runners find a way around any roadworks or other obstruction thrown up in their path.
Hence the course for the Sri Chinmoy Labour Day 10km & 4km Fun-Runs – unchanged in over 30 years – this morning found itself for the first time bypassing Hospital Hill to avoid some temporary construction. The route instead wound around the Museum peninsula, to rejoin the “old” course to the west of the hill. An altered turnaround saw the same distances covered, though runners in both races seemed to relish not having to contend with Hospital Hill, especially on the return leg, and posted some faster-than-usual times.
Jessica Pascoe led home the field in the 4km race with an outstanding 14:34, taking out the Female 17 and Over category as well. The men had to be content with 2nd overall, courtesy of Jackson Jones’ 14:48, winning him the Male 17 and Over. Next in was the Boys Under 13 winner, Jacob Davill in 15:00, just pipping the Girls Under 13 winner, Hannah Cadden who came in in 15:03. Theresa Wallner took out the Girls Under 17s in 16:38.
Sean Smee was a class apart in the Men’s 10km race, finishing in an even 34 minutes, 3 minutes ahead of his nearest rival, Ben Grimshaw in 37:07. Kerry Baxter’s 38:43 placed him 6th overall and won the Male 50-59; Graham Burke took out the Men 60-69 in 47:54 and Peter Gentry the Male 70+ with his 1:01:30.
Just as in the men’s race, Aimee Davenport’s winning 39:51 was streets ahead of the field, with Nadine Hunt next in in 43:47. Mary Sietsma took out the Female 50-59 in 54:00; while Caroline Campbell looked ever-fresh in winning the Female 70+ in 58:44.
Piles of pancakes and fruit were eagerly demolished, trophies and medals awarded to generous applause from the good-natured throng, and all went happily into the Public Holiday sunshine.
