Hogan Green was the toast of the Napier Harrier Club after winning the bronze medal for the Boys 15 years and under title at the 17th North Island Cross Country Championships. Held at Spa Park, Taupo on Saturday the 16 race programme attracted a total of over 650 athletes.
Hogan Green was amongst the leading trio from the start and never looked in danger of relinquishing the position. The race was won in record time by James Kaan(Ak) in 10.10. Green finished in 10.29, an improvement of 18 seconds and with it two places from last year. Green's teammate Ryan Woolley was ninth early on, but quickly worked his way to be Green's shadow. Woolley couldn't muster the final spurt required and had to settle for fourth, only an agonizing three seconds adrift. Eric Speakman(11.12) produced a 66 second improvement from last season to finish a creditable 20th, while Cameron Poole-Smith(11.41) was 26th and Andre Smith(11.45) another two places back in the field of 63 runners.
In the Boys 17 years and under race Daniel Wallis held third place for the majority of the 6km journey. He just failed to hold form and finished ten metres behind the third placegetter. His time of 20.40 was still a tremendous effort and Stefan Smith's 10th placing in 21.14 was a gallant showing considering he was suffering from a bout of the winter blues.Steven Smith(22.14) kept up his recent form with a fine 17th placing in the same race.
Marilyn Brown(23.12) recorded a commendable seventh placing in the Womens 45 years and over contest. This was Brown's debut against some very seasoned campaigners. Adele Marsh(24.48) came home twelfth in the same race.
Eight year old James Harris(4.14) lost a little confidence over the second half of his race, but still finished a praiseworthy ninth in a mad rush over 1km for the Boys 10 years and under title. His sister Katie(12.29) finished 17th in her Girls 15 years and under race. While training partners Ashley Aitken(16.21) was tenth and Danelle Bryant(17.48) was the 18th finisher in the Girls 17 years and under race.
Kane Green(22.02) proved he quickly regaining form, with a 23rd placing in the Mens 20 years and under contest. Trevor Fulton(23.42) crossed in 14th place in the Mens 50 years and over contest. Craig Mathers(31.55) produced another strong effort to finish in 22nd place in the Senior Men's race over three laps of the 3km circuit. Mathers improved eleven places on his last years effort. Kevin Fisher(33.02) came home in 34th place.
Other Napier Harrier results were;
Aleesha Heywood(16.09) 52th place Girls 15 years and under.
Mark Speakman(23.25) 40th place Mens 35-49 years.
(some 58 secs behind an Olympic runner who shall remain nameless)
Arthur Corbett(28.48) 84th place Mens 35-49 years.
Shayna Heywood(20.45) 29th place Girls 17 years and under.
Rory Diver(23.53) 31st place Boys 17 years and under.
Nathan Clark-Little(37.05) 49th place Senior Mens.
report courtesy of Trevor Fulton
