Turkey Trot hits its stride

Maitai Valley Rd is getting a hammering from feet this month, none more so than on Tuesday night at the three-kilometre Turkey Trot, which attracted 72 runners and walkers, a record field for the series which has run annually for 22 years.

NBS Nelson Striders' Averil West attributes the response to many continuing on from November's RunMahana event and now focusing on the Kaiteriteri Gold Half-Marathon and 10km run on March 20.

All runners were without watches and 27 of them finished within 10 seconds of their estimated time.

Simon Burge, Jo Eden and Marlborough's John Kennedy were right on the money equalling their predictions while Pete Campbell and Steffan Eden were both a single second adrift.

Simon Mardon made his first appearance for 2010, warming up with 9 minutes 4 seconds as he works towards the Buller Marathon. His father Vern, was last sighted back in 1988 in his joggers (5km 16.47 and 10km 35.51) and 22 years later his 17.08 left him 2km short of what he could achieve last century.

Nicola Mercers, 11.26, held out Klaarjte van Schie on the home straight.

The series continues next Tuesday with a 5km run starting from the Maitai River Camp, with walkers starting a 6pm and runners 15 minutes later. The runner or walker finishing closest to the sealed spot time will win entry to Kaiteriteri Gold. Trailrunners are reminded that the Alpine Lodge Loop the Lake on April 24 is swiftly heading towards capacity.

3km results.

Men: Simon Mardon 9.04 1, John Kennedy 10.30 2, Andy Leonard 10.43 3, John Harris 10.47 4, Martin Workman 10.48 5. Women: Nicola Mercer 11.26 1, Klaarjte van Schie 11.34 2, Stacey Price 11.42 3, Margret Hofman 12.07 4, Kate Fitzgerald and Amanda Gibson 12.21 4=. Walkers: Gretchen Rasch 21.42 1, Hilary Green and Pam Barker 21.54 2=, Jeannie Woodhouse 22.03 4, Simon Burge 22.59 5.

- © Fairfax NZ News