New Zealand 24-Hour Championship and Centurion's Challenge

- WORLD AND AGE RACE WALKING RECORDS FOR SANDRA BROWN!

- OUTRIGHT FIRST PLACE TRIUMPH FOR MARGARET HAZELWOOD!

- LATE START VICTORY FOR MICHAEL SIMONS!

- NZ AGE RECORDS FOR DIANNE FILE AND GERALD MANDERSON!

- 43 RUNNERS PARTICIPATE IN ULTRA CARNIVAL!

Weather: Cold night, sunny day, temperatures 1 - 14 °C

Scroll for Results:

British ultra distance race walking and running champion Sandra Brown 50, set a women's 100 mile track race walking world record of 19:00:47 (subject to ratification) during the 3rd annual Sri Chinmoy 24 Hour Track Race Carnival. Under the scrutiny of four race walking judges, a buoyant, confident and powerful striding Sandra used her supple, free-flowing, classic, race walking technique to take 26:28 off her own world track record set at Ware, Herts U.K. in 1997.

Shortly before 8:00 am, on a clear frosty Saturday morning (2 °C), the 15 men and 6 women starting the Sri Chinmoy 24-Hour Race were introduced along with 2 runners who were beginning the first leg of the Sri Chinmoy 24-Hour Teams Relay. The teams had 6 runners and each runner's stint had to be 2 hours or more. This was to be a special race with top ranked runners and race walkers sharing the track at the same time.

Together side by side were world number two ranked Wynnie Cosgrove from Blenheim, New Zealand (personal best of 230 km) and the number one ultra distance race walker, Sandra Brown (200 km 24-Hour race walking best). Joining them was defending national champion Margaret Hazelwood (best of 205 km) and Dianne File who ran 804 km in the Sri Chinmoy 10 Day Race at Wards Island, New York City in May this year.

In the men's race New Zealand 1998 100 km champion (7:31), John Thirkettle was along side 1999 Lake Taupo 160 km winner (17:15), Albie Jane and New Zealand race walking champion Gerald Manderson (177 km), who recently walked 1014 km from Cape Reinga to Palmerston North. Also starting in the 24-hour race were U.K. Centurion walker, Roger Le Moine and Rotorua 100 km masters finisher (9:05), Peter Bloore. In all 12 runners and 9 race walkers were exploring the 24-hour individual challenge. After a moment of meditative silence the runners and race walkers started their journey.

All interest was centered on Wynnie and Sandra. Could Wynnie, whose 230.473 km best was done in less than ideal conditions in Noirt, France last November, break Eleanor Adams' (U.K.) world track best of 240.169 km or even Yelena Siderenkova's (Russia) outright 24-hour best of 248.901 km? At 50, would Sandra be satisfied with 100 miles in a day or would she go all out and challenge some of her own momentous world bests?

During the early laps the contrast of styles between a great runner and a champion walker was most striking. Wynnie floated around the track in a smooth, graceful flow looking poised and focused- she was assisted and monitored by her resourceful handler-spouse, David. Sandra also was clearly here to 'attend to business' as she strode around the 400 meter stadium at a brisk, unrelenting 10:25 pace - displaying a flawless technique - her arms swinging strongly with rhythm and vigor. Sandra is very self reliant and her eating/drinking was very efficient and clearly well tested (one of her staples is cheese). Meanwhile, trackside, 27 minutes after the 24-hour stopwatches had been started, Michael Simons (226 km best) was hastily preparing to make a belated start!

At 9:00 am 5 runners and walkers started the Sri Chinmoy 12 Hour Race, followed by 5 starters in the Sri Chinmoy 6 Hour Race at 10:00 am - taking the number of runners/ race walkers on the track to 33.

The early morning chill was replaced by a mild, still and sunny day (14 °C)- balloons, streamers, colorful banners, running aphorisms, live musicians, enthusiastic lap counters and helpers created an atmosphere to give joy and inspiration to the hearts of the runners and walkers.

Wynnie, on world record pace, passed the marathon in 3:39:26, 50 miles in 7:05:35 and 100 km in 9:00:17 followed by Margaret in 3:55:30, 8:07:57 and 10:36:51 respectively. Sandra, setting world age records at every distance from 25 km onwards, went through the marathon in 4:38:03, 50 miles in 9:12:29 and 100 km in 11:34:32.

In the men's 24-hour race Albie Jane from Stratford was looking strong and cheerful as he eased through the marathon in 3:52:15, 50 miles in 7:48:16 and 100 km in 10:09:41. John Thirkettle who reached 100km in 10:24:03 closely followed him. Gerald Manderson was walking a controlled steady race and setting New Zealand age records at every split distance.

After sunset the clear skies saw temperatures plunge to 1 °C as frost crystals appeared around the infield. Sadly, Wynnie, who was running such a nice race had to stop, following repeated stomach upsets, after 13 hours. Throughout the night the lap counters cheered the runners and walkers onwards, the musicians kept playing and the brave forged beyond the barriers of fatigue and cold towards the dawn.

Some runners and walkers took rest breaks in the pavilion near the massage rooms. Roger Le Moine, feeling the effects of coming from the other side of the planet, needed a long recuperation/recovery period after 12 hours. John Thirkettle, looking tired and depleted, stopped at 118 km, followed by Albie Jane who took a 6 hour break after 134 km. Michael Simons running a well judged race took the lead in the men's 24-hour race after 14 hours which he retained to the end and finished with 182.504 km. Newcomer Peter Bloore, running a fine inaugural race, moved into second place and finished with 175.116 km - followed by a stoic Barnaby McBryde who ran a personal best 169.705 km. Gerald Manderson walked with efficiency and purpose to achieve an outstanding, centurion 164.981 km.

Margaret Hazelwood, alternating her running with short walks, and showing all of her renowned determination and grit, pressed ahead - closely followed by the irrepressible Sandra Brown. Margaret took the overall lead after 15 hours and reached 100 miles in 18:52:47 (just 8 minutes ahead of Sandra's fabulous 19:00:47). She continued on to become the outright victor with an excellent 194.062 km. Dianne File showing courage, toughed out a mid-race slump, and ground her way to a New Zealand 50-54 age record of 166.389 km- taking second place in the women's 24-hour race after Sandra took a break.

In the Sri Chinmoy 12 Hour Race Bryan Parker ran a steady 95.788 km ahead of Chris Metcalf with 82.595 and Mark Trumper who covered 61.287 km. Maureen Metcalf won the women's division of the Sri Chinmoy 12 Hour Race with 83.709 km from Tessa Bench with 70.488 km.

Henry Beex looked to have the capacity to run much longer as he ran an impressive 69.432 km to win the Sri Chinmoy 6 Hour Race. In second place was Russell Shannon, who completed 51.585 km, followed by Mark Chivers with 37.456 km. Top New Zealand 24-hour runner Carolynn Tassie (207 km best), returning after an injury layoff, ran an encouraging 61.412 km to win the women's section of the Sri Chinmoy 6 Hour Race - followed by June Stevenson who walked 35.861 km.

The New Zealand Ultra Runners Association Team led by Ian Cornelius, Gary Regtien, Jenny Howe, Erica Hannam, Guy Corey-Wright and Ivan Loveday won the Sri Chinmoy 24-Hour Teams Relay with 263.952 km from the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team who ran 240.914 km.

At the awards ceremony Wynnie graciously congratulated each of the finishers and said that she would like to come back and try again as she did not like 'unfinished business'.

New Zealand's greatest ultra runners Sandy Barwick and Richard Tout presented the 24 hour perpetual trophies to 1999 champions Margaret Hazelwood and Michael Simons. Dudley Harris presented the centurion walkers awards and the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team helpers saluted the 24-hour finishers with Sri Chinmoy's 'Congratulation' song.