Leith's Opening Club Run and Summer Trophy Presentations took place on Saturday 1 April 2006 at the Chingford Park Clubrooms.
We had one of our best turnouts for many years for our first run of the harrier season. Some of the new members we welcomed to the club were Kylie Thompson, Alex Spencley, Jeanette Cambridge, Juliette Larkin, Michael Pryde, Martin Cole, Ian Muir, Cipher Shobayashi Pryde, Tim Bain, Marc Doesburg and Greg Cooke.
The packs set out on their various routes in perfect sunny weather conditions. The fast pack led by Alan Funnell went over the Organ Pipes with Conor Delahunty and Allan Carman first to the top. John Bayne scorched the field on the downhill stretch to the club house.
Peter Hughes led the medium pack through Woodhaven and up into Ross Creek. Andrew Lonie turned back with a small group of runners who were going to run the King of the Mountain Race on Sunday morning to complete a 40 minute run.
Alison Perry led the slow pack to Ross Creek. The pack divided into a slow and slow/medium pack in Woodhaugh Gardens. Kylie and Tim had great first runs and enjoyed the lovely sunny day.
The recreational walkers did a tour of the quarry gardens which everyone enjoyed.
2. Club Run, Chingford Park, Saturday 8 April, 1.45pm.
Ideal sunny and warm running conditions saw the packs heading out on their various routes on Saturday afternoon from the Chingford Park clubrooms.
John Bayne led the fast pack up North Road to Signal Hill. The pack then returned to the club after taking in the Logan Park area. Rod McCall took the junior runners down to the Gardens area and back. The medium pack headed out to Bethune's Gully to tackle the difficult Organ Pipes route returning via North Road. New young member Alex had a good run.
Christine Leith took the slow pack for a run around Woodhaugh gardens and Ross Creek while the walkers decided to drive to the Gardens for a walk through the various tracks to the Northern cemetery and Tannoch Glen. There is a club run and walk from Chingford Park this Saturday starting at 1.45pm.
3. Club Run, Chingford Park, Saturday 15 April, 1.45pm.
For those who chose to stay in Dunedin over Easter and enjoy a club run from Chingford Park, they were rewarded with excellent sunny and cool running conditions.
Neale McLanachan took the fast pack on a testing run up to Signal Hill via Logan Park and Ravensbourne. The ever-talkative Steven Skilling paced his run and his conversation well to finish strongly. While the bulk of the pack decided to return via Black's Road, John Bayne and Allan Carman took the longer route back via North Road.
Ed Stevens took the medium pack through the tracks around the Gardens area with Steven Munro showing a lot of pace and endurance. Adele Poulter led the slow pack from behind for a loop around Ross Creek. New member Rachel from Seattle, USA had a good first run.
4. Club Run, Chingford Park, Saturday 22 April, 1.45pm
With many of our athletes resting for the Three Peaks the next morning and some people still on holiday, the club turnout was still rather small but better than the previous weekend. We also welcomed prospective new members Dave Sharp, Jan Coffey and Rachel Feldman.
Allan Carman took the fast pack for a run up to Pine Hill. Unfortunately, the fast pack consisted only of himself as most chose the medium pack or shorter runs of only 30 minutes.
Ron McClay-barnes led the medium pack up to Signal Hill via North Rd ending up in the Gardens area before heading back to the club rooms. The slow pack went for a loop around Ross Creek and then to Tanner Road before returning via John McLashan School and down the Bullock Track to the club rooms.
Rod McCall took the juniors for a run around the Chingford Park tracks.
5. Club Run, Leith Valley Church, Saturday 27 May, 1.45pm
Leith club members were hosted by the recreational walkers at the Leith Valley Church, Malvern Street. The church buildings have been expanded giving much more space for the Leithians to spread themselves around.
The fast pack which included Rod McCall, Glen Ferguson, Neale McLanachan, Alan Carman and Brian Pascoe tackled the Pigeon Flat circuit which provided its normally slippery underfoot conditions.
The medium pack made its tortious way up Leith Valley into Nichols Falls then to the Swampy Ridge Track before returning via Leith Valley.
The medium slow pack did a loop through Ross Creek and Balmacewen Golf Course.
The slow pack which included junior runners Liam McCall and Hayden Cleminson ran into Woodhaugh Gardens, on to the Fire Station and Duke Street before returning via Malvern Street.
6. Club Run, Chingford Park, Saturday 3 June, 1.45pm
Even with some members competing in the Christchurch Marathon and others away on holiday we had an excellent turnout. The weather also played its part with cool cloudy conditions making it not too hot and not too cold.
Neale McLanachan led the fast pack of eight runners up North Road to negotiate Graham's Bush via Sawyer's Bay before returning down North Road.
Ed Stevens led the large medium pack of 12 runners plus dog down to Woodhaugh Gardens before heading up to Ross Creek and returning via Malvern Road. David Shennan, Cypher Pryde and Alex Spenceley all had good runs with Ron McClay-Barnes and Mark O'Donnell showing a bit of pace up North East Valley Road.
Christine Leith took the slow pack for a run around the Garden's Area before heading onto Opoho Street for a run through Opoho negotiating the roads above North East Valley before heading down the hill to finish at the club.
7. Club Run, Taieri Athletic Club, Mosgiel, Saturday 10June, 1.45pm
Great sunny cool running conditions greeted the runners and walkers for the combined run with Taieri Athletics Club on Saturday.
The fast pack and medium fast pack headed out to Saddle Hill and Fairfield for a circuit around those areas. This group included Richard Hendry, Greg Hannah, Alan Funnell and Gene Sanderson.
The medium pack led by Dalise Sanderson headed for Chain Hills Road via Wingatui Racecourse (which looked in pristine condition for the Edmond Cup Races the next Saturday). Some battled up Chain Hill Road while others seemed to take it in their stride. After a rollicking run through the farmlands the pack which had by now broken up into smaller packs finally hit the main state highway bridge for a strong run down into Mosgiel. Steve Skilling seemed to hit another gear and thought he was in the fast pack, while Andrew Perry, Alex Spenceley, Marc Boulle and Harry had a good strong run down into Mosgiel. Alison Perry, Clare Pascoe and co settled for a more sedate pace.
The slow pack settled for a flat run around the Taieri Plains area.
Afterwards everyone had a great scrumptious feed and drinks. Thanks to the Taieri Club Members for a great afternoon's running, walking and eating.
8. Club Run with Hill City, Wakari Hall, Centennial Avenue, Saturday 24 June, 1.30 pm.
Sunny but chilly weather, ideal for running was part of the recipe for the combined runs and walks with Hill City on Saturday 24 June. Hill City kindly organised the venue and refreshments. It had been four years since Leith last had a combined run with Hill City and there were those among us who were wondering why they had ever stopped.
The fast and medium packs headed out to Three Mile Hill. The medium pack led by Shorty Morris set a good pace up the hill towards the Bull Ring. The fast pack with Neale McLanachan and Jeff Spillane also headed up to the Bull Ring. The medium pack split up at the Bull Ring with some opting to return to the Wakari Hall but retracing the route they had just taken while Shorty Morris took a group of about 8 runners comprising a Leith contingent of Peter Hughes and Marc Boulle up to Flagstaff over a snow laden Pineapple Track and down through Ross Creek to Wakari Road and back to the Wakari Hall. The fast pack had taken the same route but had done a circuit of Ross Creek before catching up to a fast finishing medium pack where a duel to the finish in the fast fading sunlight ensured..
The slow pack meanwhile had run up Fraser's Gully via Kaikora Valley Road to Dalziel Road, before returning via Wakari Road to the Wakari Hall. Some of the Leith members in this group were Clare Pascoe, Christine Leith, Adele Poulter, Jacinta Nielson, Claire Kinraid and Peter Nees.
The Junior runners did a 5km loop around the area while a large group of about 15 walkers took a loop around the Wakari Hospital area.
At the social afterwards we all had a great feed and drinks. Thanks to the Hill City Club for a great afternoon's running and walking.
9. Club Run with Caversham, Caversham Club Rooms, Middleton Road, Saturday 8 July, 1.45 pm.
Leith joined Caversham Harriers for combined runs and walks from the Caversham Harriers clubrooms on Saturday. The packs set out in cold and cloudy conditions.
The fast pack, which included David Sharp, Lyndon Brown, Andrew Lonie and Alan Funnell headed down Corstophine Road into Stevenson Road to Kaikorai Valley Road for the long haul up Townleys Road to Dalziel Road, Brockville. With Andrew Lonie now setting the pace the pack headed back down to Kaikorai Valley Road via Frazer's Gully. The pack broke up into smaller packs running at the pace, which suited each runner, to return up the hill to the clubrooms via Stevenson Road.
Caversham put on a great feed which many
tired and hungry runners and walkers well appreciated.
10. Club Run, Chingford Park, Saturday 22 July, 1.45 pm.
There was a large turnout for the club runs
and walks on Saturday. Glen Ferguson took the fast pack up North Road then down
to Sawyers Bay for a tough run up Graham's Bush to return down North Road again.
Kirsty Morris led the medium pack up to the Organ Pipes via Bethune's Gully
to return via North Road. New member Robin Janata did well in the slippery and
cold windy conditions.
Running legend Bill Kenny celebrated his 70th Birthday by joining the slow pack,
which opted for a run down North East Valley Road and out to the Ross Creek
area before returning to the club.
The walkers took a route to Bethune's Gully then up Norwood Street.
11. Club Run, Chingford Park, Saturday 29 July, 1.45 pm.
Most of the club members were away competing in the Timaru Round the Gorges Relay.
12. Club Run, Chingford Park, Saturday 12 August, 1.45 pm.
The cold conditions did not prevent a large turnout for
the Leith and Ariki combined runs and walks from Leith's Chingford Park Clubrooms
on Saturday.
Neale McLanachan took a large fast pack of about 15 runners up Graham's Bush
via Sawyer's Bay. Andrew Lonie was first to the top of the track while Conor
Delahunty was among a group to hit the bottom of North Road first.
Grant McDougall led the large medium pack up the Bullock Track, Balmacewen Road
then into Ross Creek. The pack split up with Ed Stevens taking a group that
included Peter Tutty, Malcolm Hammond and Julie Wilson back to the clubrooms
via Malvern Street while McDougall took the rest of the group for a loop around
McGoun's Track.
Clare Pascoe and the slow pack headed out for a circuit of the Garden's area
while the walkers decided that Bethune's Gully was more to their liking.
13. Club Run, Chingford Park, Saturday 9 September, 1.45 pm.
A small group of Leith runners and walkers gathered at the Chingford Park clubrooms on Saturday. Neale McLanachan led the fast pack up North Road to the Organ Pipes for a fast run back to the club via Bethune's Gully. Peter Hughes took the medium pack into Ross Creek for a loop around that area. Clare Pascoe led the slow pack up North Road to the top of Signal Hill before returning via Opoho Road. The walkers went for a stroll around the Normanby area.
14. Club Run with Otago University Harriers. Chingford Park, Saturday 16 September, 1.45 pm.
Leith Harriers and Otago University Harriers enjoyed
combined runs on Saturday from the Chingford Park clubrooms.
A strong cold breeze proved daunting for some particularly the varsity contingent
in the fast pack which lead by Neale McLanachan headed out to tackle Graham's
Bush via North Road and Sawyer's Bay. The pace proved too much for the young
varsity runners who returned via Norwood Street just 25 minutes into the run.
Neale and the tough Leith men completed the entire run.
Jan Craig led the medium pack with Alice Baker of University showing a good
turn of speed through some of the downhill sections. Peter Hughes set the pace
back up North East Valley Road.
Jacinta Neilson took the slow pack for a run through the Gardens area and a
loop of Logan Park. A group of six walkers explored the tracks around Chingford
Park, the Quarry and Hospice area.
15. Patrons Club Run and Winter Windup. Chingford Park, Saturday 30 September, 1.45 pm.
The club's Patrons Doug Milne and Dr Norrie Jefferson
hosted the club run and winter windup on Saturday 30 September 2006. The club's
members would like to extend their thanks to the patrons for their steadfast
support of the club during the season. Thanks also go to all those members of
the club who assisted in making the winter harrier season a most successful
one.
The running and walking packs enjoyed the glorious weather conditions for the
last organized run of the 2006 Winter Harrier season.
The club's winter harrier prize giving was also held. Neale McLanachan scooped
most of the senior men's trophies including the Senior Men's Interclub Road
Aggregate J. B. Hislop Challenge Cup and the Winter Aggregate Trophy. Mark O'Donnell
won the Senior Men's Road Aggregate Shield. Kirsty Morris won the Senior Women's
Road Aggregate Gopi Jain Cup and the Senior Women's Club Winter Aggregate Heaps
Trophy. Alan Funnell won the Masters Men's Club Aggregate Athol Farquharson
Memorial Trophy and the D. A. Forbes Trophy (most consistent winter harrier).
Jan Craig won the Master Women's Club Winter Aggregate Blair Trophy and shared
the Masters Women's Road Aggregate Club Cup with Jan Brosnahan. Ed Stevens won
The Greybeard (Masters Men's 50 Club Winter Aggregate). Andrew Lonie won the
John Raynor Trophy (athlete with the most provincial potential).
> > > Winter Harrier Season
2006 Trophy Winners' List