Southlanders amongst prizes at Clyde to Alex road races

The Clyde to Alexandra road races have been good to Southland runners.  Or should that be Southland runners have been good for the Clyde to Alex.

Southlanders have picked up more than their fair share of the prizes.  And have contributed much to the race fields and success.

This year, the 53rd running of the event, was no exception.

Debbie Telfer took to Women’s over 60 10k prize, by 7 minutes.     The near 65-year-old has won the grade every year since turning 60 and a few in the 50 grade a bit earlier.  In fact, her time would have won the women’s 50 race.

John Wallace tied up both 60+ grades for Southland by winning the men’s race.  His time would have won the younger 50+ age group and be in the top 5 of the 35-49 grade. 

And to prove you don’t have to be in the older grades to win, Craig Iversen ran the fastest master’s time of the day with his win in the 35-49 grade.

Lewis Blay flew the Southland flag at the other end of the age scale, comfortably winning the 4k off road race by over a minute, with Craig Iversen Jr second.

The 6km road race had Gore’s Millie McFadzien a comfortable winner in the U18 grade women, followed by Winton’s Tara Simpson with Charlie Forde second in the boy’s race.  The seniors in the same race had a Southland one-two with Tara’s mum Lisa and Lewis’s mum Jackie first and second.

Kimberley Iversen made it a brace of 10k wins after Dad’s masters first by winning the junior women 10k while Ben Scott and Lucas Huia were first and second in the junior men’s.

While not representing Southland clubs, Hannah Miller and Olivia Thornbury are Southland girls through and through.  Hannah won the woman’s division with Olivia third.   In the men’s race Buddy Small finished a pleasing 5th overall with a sub 34 minute time.