Lindford and Younger win at Mangawhai

SPRINT HOME: Catching their breath after a race to the finish line in the 5.5km event are, from left, Jack Ryan (Waipu), Thomas Jacobson (Waipu), Jack Bennett (Mangawhai) and Lewis Chappell (Wellsford).

The 2012 Sport Northland Run/Walk Series winners Harry Lindford and Carolyn Younger, both from Whangarei, continued their winning streak by taking out their respective divisions in the second event in the 2013 series, the Jeff Oliver Print Mangawhai Heads 2 Hub Run/Walk held on Sunday.

Carolyn Younger had to work hard to claim the women’s title in the 8.5km event with promising young Northland athlete, Amanda Still, hard on her heels. Finishing in 34:37, Younger was impressed with the young athlete’s form and said she was particularly strong on the downhill section. 

“I’m not very confidant for the next event in the series as the Paihia course has a long downhill section to the finish,” she said.

Ruth Hutchinson and Jackie Lints, both of Whangarei, finished third and fourth respectively.

Harry Lindford pushed himself hard while suffering from the stitch, to continue his good form and win the men’s section in 29:18. Ian Calder (Whangarei) was once again second in 30:28 with Ben Hawkins and Greg Morris, both of Whangarei, finishing close behind.

A strong run by 11-year-old Wellsford school girl, Georgia Brierley, had the crowd cheering as she raced to the line to finish 7th female overall. Brierley finished in 6th place in last year’s event and again showed she could be an athlete to watch out for in the future.

A new 5.5km distance option was added to this year’s event and it was pleasing to see the number of local school children who took part. Although this is purely a non-competitive section, two 11-year-old boys sprinted home to win in fine style. Jack Ryan from Waipu and Mangawhai youngster Jack Bennett battled the whole way with Ryan just managing to find the extra strength to take the win.

The women’s section was won by Aucklander Liz Cook.

As usual a great array of prizes was on offer at this the second event in the 2013 Sport Northland Run/Walk Series. Regular competitor Cynthia Casey, was delighted to win the iPod spot prize donated by Gen-i, while the Black Thunder bike from AvantiPlus was won by 5-year-old Nathan Gilligan from Kaiwaka. Nathan had competed in the event along with his grandmother and was happy to come up on stage to receive the big prize.

There is only a short turnaround of three weeks before the next event in the series, the Jennian Homes Mothers Day Fun Run/Walk being held in Paihia on Sunday May 12. This event is linked to the Jennian Homes and Heart Foundation promotion ‘Go Red for Women’ to support women’s heart health this Mother’s Day. Women’s Red t-shirts will be available for sale online which will enable women to go in to a special draw to win a Mystery Escape for two. Entries and t-shirt purchases are open online at www.runwalkseries.co.nz or pick up an entry form from Sport Northland.