by Simon Mace
The day dawned still and calm with great conditions for the 2020 Kerikeri Half Marathon. A sizeable group of Owairaka athletes and associates lined up on the start line at Okaihau, facing east for the run to Kerikeri. I think most of us had the same general race plan, get to the top of the hill at about 7km, then set sail to Kerikeri.
The gun went and we were off. One guy, the eventual winner, immediately went off into the lead and pulled away. I ran steady with the following pack till about 4km. At that point the group started to separate and I was on my own. I got to the top of the hill feeling fairly good and started to push on the way down. I thought I was running pretty well, only to be caught on the downhill by a guy who was descending really well. We ran together till about the 15km mark. at that point I managed to pull away on a series of undulating uphill sections. As to be expected the last few kilometres into town got progressively harder, but I was really happy with how closed the race. I finished second in a time of 1:11:59.
Owairaka won the team prize with Bethany Bromfield first woman home in 1:21:29 and David Bagot fourth in 1:14:53.
Other Owai runners at Kerikeri
Jon Turner 1:15:43
Keith Burrows 1:18:25 (9th overall and 1st M45-49)
James Fisher 1:20:47 (2nd M40-44)
James Clendon 1:21:39 (2nd M45-49)
Peter Kenny 1:22:33 (1st M50-54)
James Parker 1:24:51
Tim Mitchell 1:29:33 (3rd M50-54)
The afterparty was at the Kainui Vineyard & Brewery. Most of the Owai runners and families made it along and great fun was had by all.
I’d highly recommend the Kerikeri half marathon to anyone who hasn’t been up and experienced it before.