A great Scottish turnout at the University Relays on Saturday.
This week
- Tuesday 6:15pm: Tuesday speed session, Newtown Track. Click this link for workout details.
- Thursday 6pm: Thursday trail group, For May, we are running up Wright’s Hill. Meet at the trail head next to the Zealandia admin building on Waiapu Road. Please check the Stack app for further details.
- Saturday 8am: Parkruns at Waitangi, Lower Hutt, Ara Harakeke, Trentham, Kapiti, Ōtaki River and Greytown.
- Saturday 8am: Karori Park session.
- Saturday 2pm: Pack run/walk from Wilton Bowling Club. Arrive at 1.45, ready to start running at 2. PLUS come talk to the Scottish management committee afterwards about how we can make the club even better. We will provide pizza!
- Sunday long pack runs — usually, these leave at 8:30 am from outside Freyberg Pool and some alternative locations around Wellington. All speeds welcome, coordinate on the Facebook page.
- Sunday 8:30am: The Honest 10, organised by WHAC. Registrations from 8am. More details on Stack.
- Sunday from 9am: Barefoot XTRAIL Series in the Orongorongos. Event website here.
- Sunday from 10am: Wellington Masters XC Relay at Trentham Park. Start time is 10am for walkers and 10:15am for runners.
Results
Uni Relays
We had an epic afternoon at QE2 Park on Saturday, with a lot of rampant lions on the course and on the sidelines of the University Relays.
Taking second place overall was the Scottish Kākāpō team of Riley Henley, Dion Gamperle, Tom Callan and Tom Barnes, who knocked off four laps in 51:01.
In the Open Championship, the Scottish Kererū (Lennox Crowe, Alice Sowry, Joel Carman, Maddy Watson) were second with 55:19; the Scottish Toroa (Murendeni Netshituka, Meg Fahey, Marcos Valero, Danielle Trewoon; pictured) were third with 58:14.
The Scottish Kākā (Nick Horspool, Emily Solsberg, Ryan Woolley and Lindsay Barwick) came second in the 170 Championship with 58:44.
In the 220 Championship, we had two teams on the grassy podium: Scottish Kārearea (Chester Holt-Quick, Tanya Lavington, Simon Keller, Michele Allison) were first in 1:06:13. The Scottish Kiwi (Peter Stevens, Karyn McLean, David Kettles, Anna Fifield) were third in 1:08:10.
Chocolate Walk: This year eight Scottish walkers took part in the 6km Chocolate Walk, where competitors estimated their time and walked without a watch. Maryanne Palmer and Ray Marten took out the prizes for the closest to their estimated times, guessing just 29 and 2 seconds off respectively. Helen Willis took line honours, coming second with 41:04.
Stephen Day wrote this fun account of the event. And lots of excellent photos from Ryan Woolley here.
Full results here.
The first of the Three Peaks
Twenty runners, three walks and one dog completed the first of our Three Peaks events, the scenic coastal route over Tawatawa Reserve, with Walter Sommerville blitzing the course in 1:06.
Rotorua Marathon
Betty Harp had an outstanding day at the Rotorua Marathon, finishing in 3:45:50 and winning gold in the W65, coming first in the over-60s and taking home the Bernie Portenski Cup.
Texas
Alex Martin, who’s studying at McNeese State University on a track scholarship, ran the 1500m at the J Fred Duckett Twilight in Houston in 3:51.96 (9RD). In the Texas A & M Alumni Muster Invitational, Alex ran the 800m in 1:51.39 (6).
Parkruns
Check out all the results here.
Notices
Four Lions at 2025 World Mountain and Trail Running Champs
Huge congratulations to Scottish members David Haunschmidt, Jackson Cole, Richele McKenzie and Mel Brandon, who have all been selected to represent New Zealand at the 2025 World Mountain and Trail Running Championships. This will be held in Canfranc-Pirineos, Spain, from 24 to 28 September.
The full Athletics NZ announcement and team list is here.
WUU2K volunteers
We will host an awesome Scottish aid station at WUU2K again this year (12 July). Kath Littler has kindly volunteered to lead this project. All volunteers are offered a half price WUU2K t-shirt, discounted merchandise, discounted WUU/WAI race entries, and are welcome to come along for some drinks at the Volunteers Party (usually the first Sunday after race weekend at Waitoa Social Club on either Vic street OR Hataitai – TBC).
Contact Kath if you want to be involved.
Can you house the Scottish tent?
We need someone to look after our gorgeous tent and take it to races (or help get it to races). If you can give the tent a loving home, please let us know.
Scottish apparel for sale
We now have women’s cuts available in our two technical short-sleeve t-shirts.
Check our clothing for sale on our website
Coming up
May 24: Vosseler Shield
The Vosseler Shield is one of New Zealand’s most historic races. Organised by Wellington Harrier Athletic Club, the Vosseler Shield is the perfect way to test out your early season fitness! For many, finishing the race will be a fantastic goal, as the course takes you up and down the beautiful trails of Mt Vic.
(No Saturday pack run this day.)
May 31: Vert Day for mental health
Hinano Andrews has organised Vert Day: A challenge to get in a maximum number of vertical climbs over a 24 hour period to raise money for the Mental Health Foundation. Full details and sign-up here.
June 7: Dorne Cup
The Dorne Cup is a flat cross-country race at Trentham Memorial Park that usually takes place on the second Saturday of June. It is one of the biggest and most prestigious cross-country races in New Zealand. Hutt Valley Harriers organises the race.
(No Saturday pack run this day.)
June 15: Three Peaks
The next event is on Sunday, June 15 and will cover Mount Victoria, Mount Crawford and Mount Albert. More details can be found here.
June 21: Shaw Baton Relay
Teams of four race in 2.1km each of hills, horse jumps, ditches, fences and the spectator favourite water pit. The Shaw Baton Relay was postponed from May after heavy rain. It is hosted by Olympic Harriers and takes place at Pauatahanui’s Battle Hill Farm Park.
(No Saturday pack run this day.)
June 29: Wellington Marathon
The Wellington Marathon returns on 29 June 2025 including a Half Marathon, 10km fun run and Kids’ Magic Mile. All races consist of flat out and back courses starting on the Sky Stadium Walkway, and heading south on Waterloo Quay toward the Railway Station. In 2025 the Half Marathon also doubles as the New Zealand Championship and Wellington Championship.
July 12: WUU2K
The WUU2K (Wellington Urban Ultramarathon) includes a 21km half trail marathon, 45km Trail marathon, or 65km Ultra Trail marathon. The courses explore some of the most picturesque trails surrounding Wellington city, with hills that will challenge even the most seasoned runners.
Keep in touch:
- If there is anything you want to be added to the Scottish Newsletter or if your results have been missed, please email us at wellingtonscottish@proton.me
- If you want to contact anyone about anything, your first port of call is our club captains, Meg and Joel and our club president, Andy Ford.
- Public Facebook page and join the Scottish member Facebook group here.
- Website
Notes about results and upcoming events
- If you want your event added to this newsletter, contact us by Sunday evening.
- We’ll publish an event or a result and what makes it special if we’re told about it. So let us know what you, your friends, family members and teammates are up to. It is especially important for coaches to let us know when your athletes are attempting and achieving their goals.
- If you don’t want your name published in the newsletter or on the website, please let us know so we can omit you from the results.
| Lifestyle Sports is a long-term supporter of Wellington Scottish, providing us with sponsorship in various forms and offering our members a 10% discount. Their store is located in Outlet City in Tawa, near the exit from SH1. They sell discounted running shoes for adults and kids, along with other running gear, and will make special orders – all with our 10% discount added on. If you shop at Lifestyle, please mention that you are a Wellington Scottish member. Let them know that we’re good customers! Lifestyle Sports on Facebook |
| Wellington Scottish have partnered with physical therapy practice Rehab Co., to help keep our runners on the roads and trails, doing what we love to do. More information about this new partnership, including how to book appointments is on our Scottish website. |