Wind challeneges Wilkinson runners

A total of 78 enthusiastic athletes from Takapuna to Whangarei took part in the Wilkinson Trophy Race at Kaipara Flats on Saturday, July 18.

Both the main 10km race and the children’s 4km stretch were run in windy weather.

The race started 36 years ago at the Wellsford A&P Show of 1973. At that time this elite athletic event had only five or six runners taking part including Peter Wilkinson MP. The Wellsford Road Runners took over the organisation of the race a few years later and the race remains the only NZ Athletics sanctioned foot race between Whangarei and North Shore.

Thanks to the continued generosity of Mrs Wilkinson who sponsors the event, and a dedicated team of volunteers such as the Lions and Wellsford Road Runners, the race still continues annually.

This year the Wilkinson Trophy went to Andrew Kilding for fastest male, Mikki Williden for fastest female, and Mike Vickers for fastest walker. Trophies were presented by Mrs Wilkinson, with presentation of certificates and spot prizes. Wellsford road runners would like to thank Mrs Wilkinson, Masons, The Lions, Times FM Community Notice Board and Push Play Neighbourhoods for their support.

Results:
Girls U11 – Renee Corlett 1, Tieran Tillingworth 2; girls U16 – Rachel Saunders 1, Katelyn Saunders 2; women U20 – Simone Ackerman 1; women open – Mikki Williams 1, Helen Kilding 2, Sheila Brown 3; veteran women – Estelle Tiller 1: veteran women 45+ – Christine Fraser 1, Janice Powell 2, Sharon Rander 3; women walkers – Catherine Connell 1, Barbara Fitzhum 3, MaryJane Osa 3.
Boys U11 – Zane Illingworth 1; boys U16 – Travis Connell 1, Zane Randell 2, Findlay 3; men open – Andrew Kilding 1, Nick Sotherlaid 2, Jason Trass 3; veteran men – Steve Trass 1, Wayne Ross 2, Masaru Hashimoto 3; veteran men 50+ – John Kent 1, William Smith 2, Graham Goodwin 3; men walkers – Mike Vickers 1, Grant Connell 2, John Lambert 3.

And the field is off and running in the 2009 Wilkinson Trophy Race