Top Lineup For Huntly Half

Press release: Top Lineup For Huntly Half
10/05/07

With less than two weeks to go until the annual Huntly Half Marathon, the countdown is on for organizers and competitors. May 20th will see the 27th running of an event that has become one of the area’s biggest road races and draws entries from around the country. The 10 kilometre companion race has also grown in popularity. Over $30,000 in prizes is on offer, including both merit and spot prizes. Hamilton Hawks are again organizing the event and hope to top 2500 entrants.

An exciting lineup of New Zealand’s top runners are expected to contest the top placings in Huntly. In the men's half marathon, Tauranga's Mark Williams will be doing well to hold off Auckland young gun Andrew Haigh, with two time Olympian Robbie Johnston also racing. Former NZ 800m champ Simon Harvey is also making a comeback for this race, and will push the front end of the field to fast times. Matt Sweetingham, also from Auckland, will be looking for a time close to 70 minutes and should make up a large lead pack including local hope Kent Hodgson. Tauranga's Kyle McDonald is also expected to challenge for the win as he prepares for the Gold Coast Marathon in July. Top female contenders will be NZ Mountain Running team member Sarah Devoy and Anna Hamilton, NZ triathlon representative and runner up in NZ Half Ironman Champs this year.

In the 10 kilometre race happening in conjunction with the half marathon, the men’s field is particularly impressive and will provide excellent spectator sport. Many of the country’s best distance runners will be using this race as a tune up for the national half marathon championships to be held two weeks later. The race record currently held by Hamilton Hawks’ Glenn Sexton of 32:11 could be in jeopardy with world championship marathon contender Dale Warrender, current NZ road champion Scott Winton, Tauranga gun Ben Ruthe, Matt Dravitski from Wellington, and Craig Kirkwood all planning to race, meaning there could be several men close to a sub-30 minute winning time. Another name to watch will be perennial NZ 1500m track finalist and captain of the Auckland cross country team, Joel 'Smokey' Martin. In the women’s section, Jess Ruthe has entered the 10k and at this point looks to have little competition.

Outside of the elite section, the event also provides for everyone from the first time entrant hoping to complete the distance to individuals such as Huntly’s Brian Smith, who’ll be looking to notch up his 25th Huntly Half in a row. All levels of runner and walker are welcome, and may enter on the day until 10am.

A carnival atmosphere prevails at the finish area in the Lake Hakanoa Domain with entertainment and food and drink stalls present. Smith Sports Shoes and Mizuno will present a sports shoe display, and Mizone Active will be providing drinks at the finish line.

Huntly Retravision are the major sponsor of the event, with Newstalk ZB, Waikato District Council, Smiths Sport Shoes, Solid Energy, Mizuno, Fisher and Paykel, Blackmores and Brebner print also providing support and spot prizes.

A detailed history of Huntly Half – ‘The half marathon that mushroomed’ – can be found at http://www.coolrunning.co.nz/races/huntlyhalf/history.html

ENDS

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