Presidents Report

Hello members and welcome to our latest newsletter!! We’re nearing the end of the track and field season with this weekend coming having the New Zealand Track and Field champs back in Christchurch for the first time since QE2 met an unfortunate end due to the earthquakes.

There’s a huge field competing with some pretty amazing talent on display including several Port Hills Athletic athletes competing across the various disciplines. Looking forward to seeing the results.

The end of the track and field of course means the start of the cross-country season and preparation is well underway with the season calendar now available online for anyone planning their year.

Last week saw the opening up of entries for the Crater Rim Ultra and we’ve already seen a great response with entries expected to fill up to capacity this year for what is becoming a must do event on the seasons trail running calendar.

We’re also only a few weeks away from the rollover for membership which officially happens on April 1st every year although this can vary slightly with the option to re-join slightly before this, we’ll keep you all posted of course.

See you out there!!

Paul
Club President

Winter 2019 Cross-Country, Road & Trail Programme

For a printable PDF of the calendar, please go to the Cross Country, Road & Trail page.

Canterbury Track & Field Championships

For the first time in eight years the Canterbury T&F Champs were held in Christchurch at Nga Puna Wai on the 23rd & 24th February. The weather was a mixed bag – after weeks of hot weather we were subjected to strong winds and threat of rain.

Thirteen athletes represented the club with good results. Our women were prominent on the track, with Liliana Braun winning the W20 1500 and 5000m in good times, with Martina Connor third in the same 1500.

In the W18 Grades Leila Dunlop was second in the 1500 with Lili Ovendale third, and Lili also fourth in the 800. Chloe Hughes was third in the 800 and fourth in the 400.

In the field Beth Hunter gained fourth in the High Jump and second in the Triple jump with a good PB.

On the male side William Stedman was sixth in the senior 100m with a PB of 12.81, and seventh in the 400 battling into an extremely strong southerly in the back straight. Half an hour after the 400 he was in the Long jump, managing a weary 5.14m.

Louie Howell did well to come third in the M18 400 while Ayrton Shadbolt came 5th in the M20 1500. Henry Allot was seventh in both the M18 800 and 1500 with Matthew Clarke tenth in the M18 800 and sixteenth in the 1500. Liam Pasfield did well in his first Champs to take second in the Pard discus, and firsts in the para 200 and 800.

George Edwards

Athletics Canterbury National Championships Team

A few days after the champs the Canterbury team for the NZ Track & Field Championships at Nga Puna Wai on the 8th,9th & 10th of March was announced with club members Liliana Braun, Martins Connor, Leila Dunlop, Louie Howell, Chloe Hughes, Beth Hunter, Lili Ovendale ,Ayrton Shadbolt and William Stedman being included. Why not get along and see them in action??

Colgate Games

This year was another fabulous three days of South Island Colgate Games action for Port Hills!

It kicked off on Friday at the Caledonian Athletic Grounds in Dunedin. The morning was overcast and drizzly, however, it was smiles all round at the walk by. Our group looked great – especially with our new racoon mascot!

This year, a new chill out zone was set up by Otago University and proved to be popular, with large lines from the start. This area included cushions, nutritional information and games, giving athletes a chance to take a break with friends.

The cloud continued to lighten and by the end of the day, there were nine medals and pennants. Medal winners were Leah P G11 Gold 200m, Angus B12 Silver 400m, Harvey B12 Bronze 80m hurdles, 12 mixed medley Gold. . . . Pennant winners were Emma G G9 Silver SP, Jayde I G8 Bronze LJ and 200m, Oakley B9 Silver 60m and Zoe G7 Gold DT and Silver 200m.

Fortunately, our only trip to A&E occurred after the wind got up – poor Nikki got a shard of the tent in her finger!

Saturday continued to be strong with the medal count at eleven for the day. Fenella G11 1500m Bronze, Elspeth G12 1500m Silver, Angus B12 800m Bronze, Zachary B12 1200 RW Silver, Liam B13 800m Silver and LJ Silver. . Pennant winners were Oakley LJ 1st, Zoe 100m 2nd, Jayde DT 1st, Isabelle DT 3rd, Cammie SP 3rd and G8A relay 2nd.
The sun also made an appearance, which we were all pleased to see! Saturday also marked the Pizza Night tradition. It was a lovely time spent comparing sunburns and getting stuck into the parents vs. kids soccer match – which some of the parents did take a little too seriously!

The last day of competing was our best with thirteen medals and pennants, bringing the total count to 33! Leah G11 400m Silver, Angus B12 1500m Silver , Liam B13 1500m Bronze , relay 4x100m relay B12 Silver . Pennant winners were Ryan SP 2nd, Grace DT 3rd, Emma G DT 1st, Zoe LJ 2nd and 60m 2nd, Jayde SP 2nd, Ofa SP 3rd and 60m 2nd, Cammie 60m 3rd.

Even though bodies were starting to get pretty sore and tired, the best was definitely saved until the last. Well done to all the athletes involved, you did the club proud.

A massive thank you to Nikki, Amanda and Frouke for helping to organise the weekend – we are all very appreciative of the effort that you have put in!

If there is anyone who still has photos from the event, please share them to the Port Hills page!

Niva Chittock

Club Championships Track & Field 2019

We were so lucky with the weather on 17th February! After a somewhat wet and cold Interclub on the Saturday, Sunday followed with sun and most importantly, NO rain!

We had more than 80 entries this year, I think a record, and the day started early before 8am to make sure all the markings and technology worked. It was very good to see quite a few children who attend club night only, challenging the Interclub children. Hopefully we see some of them competing next year!

We saw some great races; the younger ones were in awe of the speedy older ones. And we saw some fast athletes beating their PB’s, which unfortunately don’t count towards the PB tally, as it is not an officiated event.

Thanks to all the parents who made this day possible, it wouldn’t happen without you. We have celebrated our place-getters in all events during the day, our age group champions will be announced at our Prizegiving, which is at the end of April.

We will get back to you with the exact date, place and time. In the meantime, have a look at the results of all events

Frouke

9 & 16 February 2019 – CMA Championships – Nga Puna Wai

W60 – Bernie Jago – 1500m – 1st –  6.12.04

W70  – Lois Anderson – 60m – 1st – 11.18; 100m – 1st – 18.79; 200m – 1st – 39.29; Hammer – 3rd – 16.72; Shot –  1st –  6.54; Javelin –  1st –  14.49

W70 – Shirley Rolston – Discus –  2nd –  15.56; Hammer –  2nd – 16.85

W75 – Julie Roots – Discus –  3rd –  12.89; Hammer –  3rd –  17.51; Weight –  3rd –  8.10; Shot –  3rd –  6.37; Javelin –  3rd –  8.94; Throws Pent –  3rd –  2210 points

M85 – Max Wood – 60m – 1st –  11.50; 100m –  1st – 19.44; 200m – 1st –  42.17

M65 – Len Millward – 800m – 1st – 2.50.99

W75 – Glen Watts – Discus –  2nd –  18.89; Hammer –  1st – 25.64; Weight –  2nd –  9.91; Shot –  2nd –  7.23; Javelin –  2nd –  12.90; Throws Pent –  1st –  3484 points

31 March 2019 – Pete Watts Relay – Nga Puna Wai, Halswell 

Pete’s relay is coming up.If you would like to take part in a team, but don’t have anyone to run with, let me know by 24th March and I will put you in a team. At this stage I don’t know any further details re distance, number in teams, start time and cost???? I will need an honest 4k time, guessing that it may the same distance as it has been for the last 15 years.

Glen
0277758716
wattsinaname40@gmail