Tangimoana Half Marathon 09

By CPL Chris ‘Turks’ Turkington

Base Ohakea’s 2009 Tangimoana Half Marathon, saw the numbers competing slightly reduced from previous years, due to operational commitments. However, the sun was out and the participants were enthusiastic.

Only 21 km to go…

The day’s event consisted of five categories:

• Individual Male
• Individual Female, and
• Teams of two:
  • Men’s
  • Women’s, and
  • Mixed.

Conditions on the course were good, apart from a bit of a head wind setting in from the 18 km mark to the finish line—just when the individual runners were starting to feel the pinch. The Men’s Team of Two race started at a blistering pace with Shane Reed (2008 Olympian) cruising the first 5 km in just 17 minutes. Corporal Craig Mills thought he was in with a chance for the first 400 m, until Shane decided to put on the afterburners. This left CPL Mills’ running partner—Corporal Matt Ericksen, an accomplished runner in his own right—a tough task of catching Shane over the second half of the course, which unfortunately he didn’t manage to do.

It was a close race between the three individual Women competitors—Pilot Officer Kirsty Calman, Leading Aircraftsman Janine Potter, and Aircraftsman Amy Rainford. All three were within 200 m of each other for a good chunk of the race, but AC Rainford managed to pull away in the later stages to take the win.

All place getters received prizes, with the Individual Male and Female winners receiving the coveted Tangimoana Half Marathon trophy.

Big thanks go to Mr John Sula, GSH Allan Peck, and Sergeant Mike Sagar who gave up their time to help the Physical Training Instructors run the event. Without volunteers like these and the numerous sections that provide equipment and expertise, Physical Education and Recreational Training would not be able to run our many events throughout the year.

Well done to all the competitors who took part—we hope to see you again next year!

Image Gallery - Issue 111