Ups and Downs at the New Zealand Mountain Running Championships
The scenic port hills were the backdrop for the 2024 New Zealand Mountain Running Championships as our leading climbers (and descenders) converged in Canterbury for the annual champs. Hosted as part of the Crater Rim Ultra the senior champs took place on the “Rapaki Rumble” a 12km up/down race with 440m of elevation gain over the first 6kms before descending back down to the finish. Our under 20 and masters grades took on the Valley View 6km with 159m of climbing over the first 3kms.
Joseph Lynch of the University of Canterbury triumphed over Eric Speakman of Victoria University Wellington Athletics for the men’s title in 48:40. Speakman was fresh off a dominating win at the revitalised Wellington Mountain Running Champs. Michael Sutton of Tauranga Athletics was third and previous champion in 2014 and 2021 Jono Jackson of ACA was fourth.
Lisa Cross of TTT Runners took the senior women’s title by over 3minutes in 55:10 from Beth Garland of Wellington Scottish in 58:39. Andrea Peat of Wellington Harriers won a hard fought bronze medal from Penny Mouat of the University of Canterbury by 40s.
The race served as the selection trial for the 2025 World Mountain and Trail Running Championships which will take place in Canfranc, Spain (25-28 Sept).
Full Results:
Junior Men (6km)
1.Jacob Ridder Port Hills 27.40
2. Ben Harris Pap Toc H 30.09
Junior women (6km)
1. Siena Mackley Queenstown 29.29
2. Denika Clooney TTT Runners 30.14
3. Jessica McNeilly 34.55
Senior Men (12km)
1. Joseph Lynch (Univ Canterbury) 48:40
2. Eric Speakman (Victoria Univ) 49:26
3. Michael Sutton (Tauranga) 51:32
Senior Women (12km)
1. Lisa Cross (TTT Runners Auckland) 55:10
2. Beth Garland (Scottish) 58:39
3. Andrea Peat (WHAC) 1:00.04
M40-44 (6km)
1. Lee Cook 28:05
2. Steve Anderson 30:11
M45-49 (6km)
1. Jon Bright 30:43
M55-59(6km)
1. David Hosking 31:00
2. Peter Caudwell 33:00
3. Jonathan Drake 39:34
M60-64 (6km)
1. Richard Brewer 33:24
2. Tim Cross 34:43
M70-74 (6km)
1.Graeme Lear 36:05
W35-39 (6km)
1. Sarah Masterton 36:17
2. Rachael Wright 1:19:26
W55-59 (6km)
1. Sarah Caldwell 58:59
W60-64 (6km)
1. Christine Lear 43:03
W65-69 (6km)
1. Sue Johnson 52:52