Wainui Walkers and Runners Exciting cycling in Wainui

By Frank Neill

Two exciting finishes were a feature of the Wellington Masters Cycling Club’s most recent event, held in Wainuiomata.

The Graded Road Race on 12 March began near the shops on Moores Valley Road, cycled to Brookfields Scout Camp and back down Moores Valley Road before riding to the coast and back to the finish line 2km from the start.

The most exciting finish of the day saw Jo Neeson and Murray Peebles put on a ferocious battle right to the line in the C grade race. Jo prevailed in the last couple of meters to win by seven hundredths of a second. The most competitive finish was in the D grade when the four leading riders battled out a closely contested sprint, finishing within 2 seconds of each other.

Nathan Cook emerged as the rider of the day.

Nathan was the sole B grade registrant so he decided to compete in the A grade race, where he proceeded to pull out a great ride, finishing only 24 seconds behind Brent Backhouse’s winning ride.

The next Wellington Masters Cycling Club event will be a Mass Start Road Race in Featherston on 26 March.

Wainui Walkers and Runners will be getting together each Saturday over the winter months, to enjoy some social outings in the bush, on the roads, on the tracks and anywhere else we fancy.

The official season opens this Saturday, 25 March, at the clubrooms, Richard Prouse Park, Hine Road. The club will meet at 1.45pm, go for a walk/run/trot/jog and everyone is welcome (ages 7 and up).

The club’s meet ups are geared around whoever turns up. So people don’t need to worry if they haven’t run since school, or feel like they need to get fit first. That is what the club is here for.

The Wainui Walkers and Runners is a small bunch of like-minded individuals who enjoy getting out for a run or walk with company.

Other events coming up in the next month or two include a choco- late run/walk (chocolate prizes to be had), a fun relay, some orienteering, maybe even camping if the weather is kind. People can keep up with the club on its Facebook page, facebook. com/wainuirunnersandwalkers, to keep up with events and activities. Anyone wanting to join the club can either pop along on Saturdays to Richard Prouse Park at 1.45pm, or ring Nikki on 021 0234 8292.