Club News

Club Run/Walk, Clubrooms, 1:45pm Saturday 16th May
A chance to gather our breath between the achievements last week at the University Relays and the challenge of the Vossler Shield the week after.  Weather might be a bit dodgy, but then that would only put off people that are soft....
Younger members have the first of their cross country series on the Sunday at Karori Park – see http://www.olympicharriers.nz/calendar/event.php?id=2638.

University Relay Results
A grand day out up the coast with Olympic teams well represented amongst those on the podium.  The Junior Women and Open Masters 50 grades successfully defended their titles from 2014.
The Masters Women's teams placed second whilst the Junior Men and Senior women both place third. The Masters men showed their depth with second and fourth placings.  Full results are now available at http://athleticswellington.org.nz/Results/Cross-Country-Road and Jo Murray posted heaps of photos:

• Photos of 9 and Under Race:https://plus.google.com/photos/104440593688112810620/albums/6146819516969472689
• Photos of 11 and Under Race: https://plus.google.com/photos/104440593688112810620/albums/6146822160116379121
• Photos of 13 and Under Race:https://plus.google.com/photos/104440593688112810620/albums/6146825961706755121
• Seniors Part 1:  https://plus.google.com/photos/104440593688112810620/albums/6146979279712134177
• Seniors Part 2:  https://plus.google.com/photos/104440593688112810620/albums/6146987964890336689

Note that in some close run battles the official results differ by a few key seconds from the provisional (self timed) results... good news for some, but no so good for others!
 

Olympic is a finalist in Sport Wellington's Club of the Year 
Speaking of Jo, it is in part due to her hard work, and that of the many other coaches and volunteers, that Olympic is up for this prestigious award.   If you're thinking about coming to the awards evening let Jo Murray know before the end of this week as we'll get tickets on the Athletics Wellington tables – tickets are $130 each (food and drink included at least!).  Date is Thursday 4 June at the TSB Arena.  And congratulations to Rama Smith who is also a finalist in the Volunteer of the Year category.

Vossler Shield - are you ready?
The week after next is the classic hill race up down and around Mount Victoria.  Full details are here http://www.olympicharriers.nz/calendar/event.php?id=2640 and it pays to get there early as parking can be a challenge.  See the note below about the need to get your club registration paid in order to get a timing chip.  If you had a chip from last year you will need to find that physical chip or organise to get a new one.  If you can find it, check it is not chipped or split.  If you need a new one contact rama@athleticswellington.org.nz with $5, or else get a temporary one on the day from the WHAC clubrooms (limited number, only between 11.30am and 12.00pm and $20 with $10 back on return).

For the Masters that can't get enough racing there is the Classic Masters Relay event held at Trentham on Sunday 24th of May-teams of 5 runners or 3 walkers. This year is the 30th time this event will be run. It is exciting if we can show up with strong OH teams! Brian Watson from our club is race director; Trentham United offers refreshments at the park . Seek out Tineke (tien.hooft@gmail.com) for details or if you can help marshal.

Registrations
It is getting to crunch time on the registrations.  The Vossler Shield on the 23rd uses timing chips that are tied into the Wellington Athletics database – you need to be paid up to get a chip.   Registering online is pretty easy and if you can't remember your password that is easy too.   Go to the website, or if you are impatient you can go straight here: https://memberdesq.imgstg.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=main&OrgID=10499.The key thing to remember if you were a member last year is to login with your old details – there are instruction on the registration page. For younger members that train with Alastair Leslie there is also the $50 winter coaching fee.

Away trips
The North Island Cross Country Championships is held each year in Taupo – this year it's 4 July.  The Club has won the Club trophy for the past few years on the back of a big attendance.  It's a fast but tough course combined with a great weekend away with family friendly fun and a Saturday night dinner.  Mark it down now!

If you can't make it to Taupo (or perhaps even if you can) there is the Wellington Marathon on the Sunday 5th July.  The Heart Foundation is fundraising with "Heart Racers" – see:
https://www.heartracer.org.nz.  

A little further away are the National Road Relays in Chistchurch on 3 Oct.  It is the 75th anniversary and it is a blast running from the edge of town over the Port Hills to Akaroa.  We have accommodation lined up but the places are not unlimited.  Start looking for flights now – there is as much competition in finding the cheapest flight as there is in the race itself!

Important dates:
Sat 16 May - Club run/walk, 1:45 from clubrooms
Sun 17 May - Kids Cross Country Series (Race 1) Venue: Karori Park
Sat 23 May - Vossler Shield -- the classic interclub mountain run of the season over Mt Victoria
Sat 04 July - North Island Cross Country Championships, Taupo (getting closer - everyone can run)