Race #48

Competitors in the first Stroke & Stride of 1996 were treated to excellent weather conditions for racing, a warm day with smooth seas.  The Men’s field started first and looked set for a classic confrontation between Cameron Brown (Series Champion in 1991) and Brent Foster (Series Champion in 1993, 1994 and 1995).  At the finish of the 1000 metre swim Brent Foster had again got the jump on the competition and ran up the beach in a time of 12 minutes 30 seconds giving him a 27 second lead over second placed Tim Bowen.  A further 15 seconds back was a large bunch that included the likes of Nathan Richmond, Adam Jackson, Malcolm McGregor and Cameron Brown.  The three kilometre out and back run to Kohimarama was never going to be enough for the rest of the field to make an impression on Brent Foster’s lead as he went on to win in a time of 23 minutes and 19 seconds. The best of the rest was Cameron Brown on this occasion who ran through for second ahead of Nathan Richmond.  The 1995 New Zealand Swimrun Champion Jared Letica recorded fastest run of the day as he ran through for fourth ahead of Adam Jackson.

The Women’s field were started 10 minutes after the men with Jackie Read again leading the women from the water in a time of 13 minutes 48 seconds.  Six seconds behind was a small group that included Louise Soper while Megan Dalton was 30 seconds down, Natasja Hilgeholt a minute and Suzanne Clark over 2 minutes behind the leader.  Out on to the run, Jackie Read was quick to try to extend her lead over the chasing women.  Megan Dalton ran hard and moved through to second but couldn’t bridge the gap to Jackie Read who held her lead to the beach and ran through to win her second race in a row.  Natasja Hilgeholt also ran well to take third place on the run ahead of Louise Soper in fourth.  Suzanne Clark passed more than a few on the footpath between St Heliers and Kohimarama on the way to her fifth place.