Manawatū-Whanganui Road Race Championships

Below is a race report for the Manawatu-Whanganui Road Race championships held in Halcombe on Saturday, 24th September:

Both races were over a challenging out and back course of six kilometres in length. The weather was warm with the runners facing a moderate headwind and an uphill gradient over the first three kilometres of the course, this did mean a tailwind and downhill gradient over the final three kilometres back to the finish line.

In the under 16 years race, Reuben Duker ran a well-judged race leading from start to finish to win comfortably by over one minute, in a time of 21.31. Jacob Lean was a little off the pace, but ran well to finish in 4th place.

The under 18 years race was much tighter, with Nelson Doolan making  a decisive move with 1500 metres to go, finishing strongly to win by 14 seconds, in a time of 20.03. Sam Stichbury was the early leader, running well to record a hard-earned third placing. Max O'Connor followed behind him finishing in 5th place.

Both Reuben's and Nelson's winning times were excellent given the hill gradient and headwind they faced.