On 2 June (King’s Birthday), Todd, Peter, Dani, and Alan resurrected the traditional “Stevens invitational” Ballantyne Cup and Shirley Barton Trophy (with a few tweaks).
The race took place by the Hutt River, using the 2.5km loop of Strand Park, Ava Railway foot bridge, and Ewen Bridge. Runners and walkers could choose between racing 1, 2, or 3 loops and could chose to run either on the trail or the tarmac, with trophy winners being closest to their handicap. The race was timed and designed to be the perfect primer for the Dorne Cup five days later.
Alice Sowry ran 1 lap and won the Shirley Barton Trophy, 28 seconds behind handicap. Just seven seconds behind her was Beth Garland (2 laps) and Karyn McLean a further 1 second back (1 lap).
Joseph Bulbulia won the Ballantyne Cup, 40 seconds behind handicap over 2 laps, with Hayden Smith 6 seconds behind him (2 laps) and Glen Wallis 7 seconds behind that (2 laps).
Full results below.
In keeping with tradition, the Stevens family put on a morning tea spread after the racing at St Mark’s Church Hall in Woburn Road.