New Zealand Road Relay Championships Preview

Canterbury University look set to join University of Auckland, New Brighton and North Harbour Bays in winning the senior men’s national road relay title three years in a row.

The championships on Saturday are based this year, as they are every four years, on the Takahe to Akaroa Relay.

Canterbury won in Timaru two years ago and they are the defending champions after winning in Mosgiel last year.

They have entered a talent laden team of Phil Costley, Sam Wreford, Brett Tingay, Richard Olsen, Matt Smith, Rowan Hooper, Angus Taylor and National cross country champion Andrew Davidson for the demanding 76.6km eight lap event. Four years ago in the Akaroa relay Tingay and Costley competed for Papanui TocH.

Wellington Scottish, winners at Akaroa in 2001 have entered top triathlete Martin Van Barneveld, Stefan Smith, Grant McLean, Hamish Carson, Rees Buck, James Coubrough, Kees Keizer and Glenn Hughes. Scottish were third last year.

Pakuranga second last year will be lining up Leyden Tolhurst, Jonny McKee, Johan Van Hoovels, Justin Carnaby, Scott Winton, Ryan Sissons, Nick Pannett and Sam Dobson. Jason Woolhouse will be running for New Brighton.

Pakuranga will be going for three years in a row in the women’s relay over the same distance. They are strengthened with the inclusion of Nina Rillstone and Alice Mason. The balance of the team is Lisa Robertson, Kelly Parlane, Hannah Barker, Sara Bradley, Sarah Devoy and Rosana Balle.

It is 27 years since Canterbury University won the women’s title and they are in with a chance to break the drought with an entry of Alex Williams, Kellie Palmer, Nicki McFadzien, Alicia Evans, National cross country and road champion Fiona Crombie, Aine Hoban, Sarah McSweeney and Lara Phillips. Kate McIlroy, who holds the last lap record of 34m 16s for the 9.9km is entered with the Wellington Harrier Athletic team.

Lake City Rotorua will be defending their masters men title and will face strong competition from seven times winners in the last nine years University of Auckland.

Scottish, the defending champions, and University of Auckland and Tasman Tigers should battle out the masters men over 50.

Scottish will be attempting four years in a row in the masters women. However Pakuranga have entered a strong combination and Hamilton City Hawks also have a team to threaten for the title.

Auckland City Athletic should win the junior men’s relay while the ACA junior women will be going for three years in a row in the W19.