Date: Saturday, 7 June, 2008

Time: 1.45 pm

Venue: Chingford Park Grounds, North East Valley.

Course Map: See Below or Download pdf

See photo Albums >> Photo Album 2008

Full Results now available >> Results page (still provisional)

Weather: Bitterly cold and partly cloudy (4 degrees Celcius)

University wins the 2008 Chingford Challenge

Leith Harriers would like to thank University of Otago Harriers for having donated the Chingford Challenge Shield to this event. A logo of this shield will be placed on this page in due course once the winners from last year and this year have been added to it. The course this year was a bit shorter than last year due to the archery section of the far field being in use.

Otago University has won the 2008 Chingford Challenge. The first race, over 3.6km (approx) was won by the University of Otago (17 pts) with Leith on 23 pts. The second race over 7.5km (approx) was won by the University of Otago (36 pts) with Leith on 47 pts. The combined total University (53 pts) to Leith's 70 pts. Congratulations to a great team effort by the Men and Women's University teams.

Sam Kidd (OUHC) showed just how good he is over this distance and type of course by repeating his win from last year. He was in a class of his own. Andrew Lonie (Leith) finished second, Neal McLanachan (Leith) third and John Winsbury (fourth). Shane Renownden discarded his dark glasses in the glare of a cloudy day to finish strongly in fifth place. And with the next four places filled with University runners, all but sealed a well-earned win for Varsity.

Kirst Morris, in a repeat of her performance from last year, again won the Women's Race. She was a convincing winner from Erin Whitla (OUHC) who is another improving runner, with new Leith member Rebecca Keat filling the third position. As in the later race, the greater depth of the University team took its toll on Leith's aspirations by filling the next three positions to win this section of the Chingford Challenge.

Leith XC Championships 2008

Andew Lonie has won the Leith Cross Country Men's Championships overall in winning the Men's 35 grade. Neale McLanachan was first Senior Man across the line, and second overall. Chris Sole won the MM50 grade. Andrew Perry won the sealed handicap.

Kirsty Morris won the Leith Cross Country Senior Women's championships. Jan Craig won the MW50 grade, while Clare Pascoe won the MW35 grade. Isabelle Bennett won the G14 & Under grade and Adrian Aarsen won the B14 & Under grade.

Sebastian Sole (1st B12) and Claudia Sole (1st G12) finished in a deadheat in the 12 and Under 1km race. Third was Reuben Knox (2nd B12), fourth was Carl Aarsen (3rd B12)

Thanks to all who helped make this a cross country day to remember, especially the officials who did the timekeeping, the people who set up the course, the marshals and the kitchen staff.

The map below is now partly inaccurate and will be replaced with an updated version soon.