Tasman sent its biggest team in recent years to contest the NZ Cross Country Championships and was rewarded with five medals across individual and team events at Hagley Park.
The 23-strong contingent ranged in age from 13 to 74.
It poured the night before the races, ensuring muddy and testing conditions especially around the start and finish area.
The steeple barrier was even removed after the opening event as runners were slipping into it and there was a real risk of injury.
Just getting to Christchurch was a challenge.
“Some of our team only just made it through the Lewis Pass on the way down due to snowfall. The family of our youngest competitor, 10-year-old Stephanie, was turned around at Murchison later in the day and unable to get to Christchurch,” says Athletics Tasman team manager Anni Pfitzinger, who was grateful that Bowater Toyota lent them their community van to transport nine of the athletes.
Multiple national champion Phil Costley and his family only negotiated the pass, in their camper van, by following a truck and staying on its tracks.
The ordeal didn’t stop Phil claiming his 34th national title after coming home first in the men’s 55-59 8,000m race.
Kathy Dunbar was runner-up in the women’s 40-44 grade, while Paula Canning finished third in the women’s 50-54 division.
Tasman entered four relay teams including an U18 women’s team of Mahia Ontoria, Bella Cain-Townley, Nia Linyard and Ava Lauren, which claimed a bronze medal.
Mahia and Bella joined forces with Oliver Costley and Liam Dunbar to also secure silver in the U18 4x2km mixed relay.
“The relays were raced at night which made for fun under the lights with music blaring as well,” says Anni, who even jumped in one of the teams to make up the numbers.
The Tasman contingent also included international student Amina Landmann, from Nayland College, who finished ninth in the U18 Women’s individual 5,000m, just three places behind Mahia.
