Race Walking NZ Relay Championships, Trentham – 20 May 2012

From David Lonsdale: Racewalking Auckland retained its Race Walking New Zealand team relay title, conducted in six legs over the marathon distance (42.2k). They established a championship division course record of 3:34:32 and were well ahead of Taranaki Race Walkers in 4:04:05 with the host club Wellington Scottish A C third in 4:08:06. In perfect conditions, Mathew Holcroft, a member of the Auckland team, attempted to achieve a World Junior Track and Field A Standard for the 10k distance, but despite a great effort and lots of vocal support fell short with a time of 46:04.

In the Non-championship B Division, 12 teams had a good battle with the lead changing frequently, until Taranaki Race Walkers made a break midway in the race to win and also retained its title in 4:18:14. Run Walk Hawkes Bay, who had led for a number of laps, was second in 4:21:47 with Manawatu Striders third in 4:34:38.

On a day which started with a hard frost, but which cleared quickly to perfect calm and cool conditions, Olympic-bound 5 k walker Quentin Rew walked a leg of the relay for his Composite Wellington team and then continued on to train completing 47k. With 100 race walkers competing on a fast and interesting 1.25k circuit, there was a great atmosphere for the hundreds of walkers and spectators at this sixth annual event hosted by the Scottish club.