North Canterbury News: February 13, 2020

NEWS
10 North Canterbury News, February 13, 2020
Young and old legs stride to race victories
By SHELLEY TOPP and
ROBYN BRISTOW
Age was no barrier to success in
last weekend’s Coast­to­Coast
endurance race.
Eyrewell teenager Henry
Sparkmadeabig impression in
the two­day multi­sport event,
winning his category and
finishing 15thoverallinthe
individualcompetition.
Henry, aged 17, completed the
243kmrace in 12hr36min 15sec,
47 minutes aheadofthe secondplaced
competitor in the school
15­18 years category.
At the other end of the
spectrum, Glentui’s Fred
Howard, who turns66this month,
won the vintage malemountainrun
section, clocking 4hr 10min
15sec.
Fredwas among the oldest
athletes competing.
For Henry, the two­day race
began at 7am last Friday at
Kumara Beach on the West
Coast, andfinishedthe next day
on New BrightonBeachin
Christchurch.
‘‘Overall, the race went really
Vintage performance ... Fred Howard, centre, with his support team,
Danny Nelson, from Rangiora, and Lois Ingram, from Tai Tapu.
smoothly for me,’’ he said. ‘‘It’s
suchanawesome event.The start
was amazing as therewas alot of
excitement in the air and the sun
was just coming up as the start
hooter went off.
‘‘I was feeling pumped and
ready to go.The first run and bike
wentwell and Imanagedtoget
intothe first bike bunch.’’
However,because of high river
levels, the mountain­run course
was changedand the different
terrainprovedchallenging.
‘‘Weran over the viaduct but
still withplenty of off­roadtracks
and river bed,’’ he said. ‘‘I was
quite happywith my run time,
but my legs were not conditioned
to running overtar­seal road so
theyfelt like jelly by the end.’’
On day two, withthe river up,
the kayak section was also
difficult.
‘‘The kayakwas the toughest
partofthe race for me. Iwas
pleased just to stay upright the
whole way downand superrelieved
to see the gorge bridge
and my support crew.”
His parents, Geoffand
Rochelle, sisterSienna, and
grandparentsMurray and Lynda
Leishmanwere hissupport crew.
Geoff said it was ‘‘an amazing
and exciting experience’’
supporting Henry. ‘‘Thewhole
family is super­proud of Henry’s
True grit ... Henry Spark, left, heads for the finish line at New Brighton
Beach.
successand it is rewardfor his
commitmentand training.’’
Henry was thrilled withthe
support from his local Eyrewell
communityduring the final
stages of the race, Geoff said.
‘‘BeinganEyrewell boy, South
Eyre Road was home country for
him and he lovedthe support of
the locals who came outonthe
final bike ride.’’
Meanwhile, Fredisthinking
about contestingthe two­day
multi­sport event, whichhedid
in 2017, but carried an injury
which hampered his effort.
Whatever the decision, he is
determinedtotraverse Goat
Pass, achallenge taken away this
year becauseofthe rivers
running so high on day one.
He enjoyed the alternative, but
by Sundaywas already itching to
tacklethe mountain pass.
PROHIBITED FIRE SEASON!
Fire and Emergency New Zealand have declared a
PROHIBITED FIRE SEASON on all land covered by the
Hurunui, Waimakariri, Selwyn and Christchurch councils.
NO OUTDOOR FIRES ARE TO BE LIT
If you see smoke call 111
See www.checkitsalright.nz for further information
Water Restrictions also often apply during the hot summer months -check with your
local council for the latest Water restrictions, and remember, ifyou see smoke call 111