A large field assembled on Saturday for one of the more popular POM Road Running events at the Sir John Guise Stadium, the “Amazing Half an Hour of Power Run”. The task was simple. Run as many laps of the athletics track as possible in 30 minutes and then beat the cut-off to squeeze in another final lap.
The field took off under a darkening cloudy sky, with many curious onlookers giving support. It was no surprise Milton Iakosi set the early pace, weaving his way through walkers and back-markers. The field of more than 50 runners was swelled by many children from the Kaugere settlement.
For the first half of the race there was a mad panic at the start/finish line as runners desperately grasped for a rubber band used to count laps completed.
Iakosi was untroubled in taking out the race and matched the 21 laps he completed in 2006. Swans Pinampio finished one lap down, ahead of a bunch of runners a further two laps behind. James Gurumi took out the male veteran category in completing 18 laps, Suzi Pini the female category (16), and a quinella for the Tobia family with Damoi winning the male junior category (15) and sister Lucy victorious in the female junior category (14).
Weekend results:
Milton Iakosi (21 laps); 2. Swans Pinampio (20); 3. James Gurumi (MV), Akis Ivia, Noko Negosa, Gumsie Taulobi, Henry Horou (18); 8. Sipi Michael (17); 9. Suzi Pini (F), Josek Bomida, Steven Alu (16); 12. Paulus Opus, Damoi Tobia (MJ) (15); 14. Lucy Tobia (FJ), Kirsten Bishop, Dr John Eyers (14); 17. John Ulelu, Christi Morf, Misao Miyakubo, Caroline Flynn, David Flynn, Carl Valentine, Jack Valentine, James Airai, Simon Nutley (13); 26. John Junior (11); 28. Joshua Desmond, Kesa Nathan; 30. Prof Hugh Davies (UV), Mella John, Naomi Ameni, Michael Moroi, Junior Vaii (7); 35. Fred Nickson, Gibson Joe, Mola Turi, Ove Chris (6); 39. Janet Allen, Monica John, Jenny Max, Noah Max, Levi Loxey, Colin Koivi, Emmanuel Leka, Rubert Michael, Raymond Ponwq, Philemon Gaco, Liovora Loaloa, James Alice (5); 51. Naomi Gogai, Agnes Dogme, Moby Bioh; 54. Simon David.
The “Spring into Summer Series” continues this coming Saturday with round four scheduled for the OTC grounds Five Mile. All welcome and still only 20t to participate.