Stark runs off tough challenge

Press, 24 June 1985, Page 24

Stark runs off tough challenge

Andrew Stark (Christchurch) held off a determined challenge from Rob Mulcahy (United) to win his first Holloway Memorial 16km senior men’s cross-country running race at McLeans Island on Saturday.

Stark’s time was 51 min 29 sec, with Mulcahy second in 51:45.

Mary O’Connor (University) showed her class in winning the senior women’s Bkm race in 29:17, more than a minute ahead of second-placed Sharron Hughes (Bascik New Brighton). Stark skipped away for an early lead in the men’s race of four laps of 4km, but he looked to be in danger when a bunch of four caught him near the end of the second lap. However, the second lap was Stark’s slowest, and in spite of repeated attempts by Mulachy to break away from him, Stark kept up his pace then made his winning break with about I.skm to run, to win comfortably. Third was first-year senior Phil Clode (University) who sprinted to beat Mai Radcliffe (Bascik New Brighton), followed closely by Grant Hardy (Bascik New Brighton). O’Connor led the women’s field from the start, though Georgina Talbot (United) had the better of her at the first hurdle after about Ikm. Andrea Devine (Christchurch) was in third place, followed by Pam Riley (Sumner), Joan Ray (Toe H), Hughes, and Vai Lindsay (Technical).

By the end of the first of two laps O’Connor was half a minute clear of Talbot, who was caught by Lindsay at this stage. These two had a 10s gap on Hughes, Ray and Riley, who had all got past Devine on the first lap.

At about 6km O’Connor was still well clear in the lead, with Lindsay 5s ahead of Hughes, who was 4s ahead of Talbot, with 6s back to Ray and Riley. Lindsay looked to be set to take second place, but Hughes stormed home in the last Ikm to beat Lindsay by 7s. Ray showed a good turn of speed to outsprint Talbot for 4th overall place. Bryan Atkins (United) retained his veteran men’s title, leading the other veteran men all the way. Peter Coughlan (Olympic) ran one of his best races to finish fourth veteran, ahead of Neville Reid (Olympic). Results — Men Senior (16km): Stark, 51.29, 1; Mulcahy, 51:45, 2; Clode, 52.31, 3; M. Radcliffe (Bascik New Brighton), 52:32, 4; G. Hardy (New Brighton), 52:59, 5; J. Gilbert (New Brighton), 53:15, 6; A. McLaren (New Brighton), 53.29, 7; R. McTaggert (New Brighton), 53.35, 8; K. Barnes (Christchurch), 53:37, 9; C. Cox (Olympic), 55:11, 10. Team, New Brighton. Veteran (16km): B. Atkins (United), 55:51, 1; J. K. Mac-

donald (Olympic), 56.22, 2; B. Burns (Olympic), 56.55, 3; P. Coughlan (Olympic), 57.24, 4; N. Reid (Olympic), 57.46, 5. Team, Olympic. Junior (8km): R. Howell (University), 26:25, 1; G. Mitchell (Scottish, Wellington), 26:40, 2; A. Condick (Toe H), 26:41, 3. Under-18 (8km): D. Campbell (New Brighton), 27:01, 1; J. Davis (Sumner), 27:53, 2; M. Drummond (New Brighton), 28:04, 3. Under-16 (4km): M. Buckley (Christchurch), 14:03, 1; T. Coughlan (Olympic), 14:16, 2; A. Buckley (Christchurch), 14:30, 3. Under-14 (4km): N. Jorgenson (Christchurch), 14:54, 1; P. Coughlan (Olympic), 15:35, 2; A. Chaney (United), 15:45, 3. Women Senior (8km): O’Connor, 29:17, 1; Hughes 30:46, 2; Riley, 31:09, 3; Devine, 31:34, 4; C. Wright (Sumner), 31:39, 5; A. Kennedy 32:07, 6; K. Ward (Christchurch), 32:18, 7; M. Walker (Christchurch), 32:30, 8 Pre-veteran (8km): Lindsay, 30:53, 1; G. Talbot (United), 30:58, 2. Veteran (8km): J. Ray (Toe H), 30:58,1; P. Hogarth (Toe H), 35:40, 2; B. Knife (Christchurch), 36:40, 3 and first over 45. Under-18 (4km): K. Wheeler (University), 15:51, 1; S. Stowell (New Brighton), 16:15, 2; P. Nicholls (University), 16:22, 3. Under-16 (4km): J. Stokes (New Brighton), 15:00, 1; T. Murray (New Brighton), 16:10, 2; L. Tucker (Cashmere), 16:53, 3. Under-14 (4km): S. Lock (Q.E.), 15:56, 1; M. Blair (United), 16:23, 2; L. Mowat (Avon), 16:40, 33.