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The Coatesville Classic story |
The Coatesville fun run has a 19-year history. It was introduced in July 1991 as part of a fundraising drive for a community pool, which residents and school kids now enjoy every summer. The race then offered a choice of 5km or 8km distances, with a cross-country component. The Rodney Times post-race report included a great picture of schoolgirl Kailey Spicer and friends slopping through a huge puddle of winter mud!
The first race had a hundred entrants and raised $1,000 for the community pool. Peter Beguely won the inaugural 8km round-the-block run, on a course similar to the one the Coatesville Classic uses now. He set the bar at 30 minutes 33 seconds, but lost his title to Kelvin Tanton of Takapuna when the event next ran. That was Anzac Day, 25 April, 1993, when Kelvin romped home in 27 minutes 16 seconds.
The women’s race was won in 1991 by duathlete Jill Bishop in a time of 35 minutes 2 seconds, a record that stayed in place in 1993, when Jacky Tasker took the women's top spot in 38 minutes 28 seconds.
From 1993 onwards, the race was taken up by a brave string of different volunteer organisers and documentation is patchy – claims and counterclaims to Coatesville Classic fame are welcome (see below), especially if you can back them up with some published details!
Allison Roe – our most famous entrant
We do know that distance runner Allison Roe, recently inducted into the New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame, is world famous in Coatesville for winning the race twice, back when the road was still partly metal. Admittedly, she’s more famous for the super-feat of winning the Boston and New York marathons in the same year. That was 1981, when she was awarded the title of New Zealand Sportsperson of the Year. Allison couldn’t make it to Coatesville in 2010 – she’s off cycling at Lake Tekapo – but she sends a message of support to fellow Coatesville runners and we're hoping to get her here in person in 2011.
Making new history
There are probably some Coatesville women who are secretly glad Allison isn’t on the start line in 2010, because the introduction of chip timing means the Classic can start accurately charting its history – and handing out the Coatesville Cup. The cups will go to the first Coatesville school-zone residents home in the 8km event, creating a new tradition for the community.
It’s Classic Event’s way of recognising the tremendous support the race has always had from the local community – which has a dedicated and competitive group of early morning runners as well as a bunch of keen walkers. Each year, the cups will be engraved with the names of the new men’s and women’s race winners, and given to them to stash on the mantelpiece until the crown is passed on.
What’s next?
The current Classic No.8 run is perfect in terms of its 8km distance and difficulty – an achievable challenge for sub-10km runners, a race for 10km athletes, and a nice addition to the training programme for distance runners. The Classic Walk makes a great family event, with its fabulous views over fences to fields full of sheep, goats and horses and from Ridge Road to the Sky Tower.
What could really round out the event for distance runners? Classic Events intends to add a new goal for runners in 2011 with the Classic Double, a 16km double loop for those who really want a stretch.
What’s your Coatesville fun run story?
Are we missing something? Did we get something wrong? Drop us a line on the contact form and we’ll get in touch to add your story to the site.
Timeline
| 21 July 1991 |
First Coatesville fun run fundraises $1,000 for the Coatesville community pool
Peter Beguely wins men’s 8km event in 30 minutes 33 seconds
Jill Bishop wins women’s 8km event in 35 minutes 2 seconds
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Anzac Day
25 April 1993
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Kelvin Tanton smashes Peter Beguely’s 1991 record to win in 27 minutes 16 seconds
Jill Bishop’s course record stands
Jacky Tasker wins the women’s race in 38 minutes 28 seconds
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| 28 Feb 2010 |
Classic Events retains the traditional 8km route and local fundraising initiative
Date shifts for warmer, dryer weather
Introduction of chip timing, website, online entry and dedicated school fundraising
Inaugural Coatesville Cup announced
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| Feb 2011 |
Watch out for the Classic Double 16km challenge!
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