UP & OVER BLUFF HILL GRUNT

GUTSELL AND GILROY TAKE 12 KILOMETRE RUN HONOURS IN BLUFF HILL GRUNT

Ricky Gutsell and Fiona Gilroy were the winners of the Mens and Ladies races respectively in the 12 kilometre run at Sundays Bluff Promotions Up & Over Bluff Hill Grunt.

Gutsell, of Gore, finished third in last years event but had never won it until this year. A runner with the Gore club he carved out an impressive time of 46 minutes 31 seconds on a slightly longer route than used in previous years. Second place went to Scott Underhay of Invercargill who recorded a time of 48 minutes 17 seconds while Lachlan Shannon of Invercargill was third.

Gilroy won the Ladies Section in 54 minutes 54 seconds ahead of Invercargill competitors Amy Marshall, who came home in 58.25, and Michelle Fox in third place. Gilroy, originally from Invercargill, but now based in Christchurch said she loves the tracks around Bluff Hill and organised a trip home to see family around the event.

Barrie Sheehy of Invercargill won the Mens 12 kilometre walk for the second year running. He completed the route in 1 hour 26 minutes 36 seconds ahead of Ian Beck of Otautau and Murray McKinley of Invercargill. Maree Small of Woodlands won the Ladies 12 kilometre walk from Laurel Savage of Bluff and Sarah Gibson of Gore.

The more social 6 kilometre walk saw Barry Ridder of Tuatapere win the Mens section from Nigel Finnerty of Invercargill and Mark Bryan of Winton while in the Womens 6 kilometre walk Kerrie Murray of Invercargill crossed the line by the smallest of margins ahead of Linda Adams with Gemma Cade of Makarewa third.

Several competitors won spot prizes that were awarded for the event with the two major prizes of return family trips to Stewart Island courtesy of Stewart Island Experience won by John McDonald of Athol and Keri Langham of Invercargill.

Bluff Promotions were assisted with the event by the Te Ara O Kiwa Sea Scouts and the Southland Harrier Committee. Support for the Grunt came from Stewart Island Experience and the Eagle Hotel in Bluff, plus ticket outlets and service providers the Bluff Service Centre, Hamills Southland, The Adventure Store, Sport Southland, SIT and Allan White Sports. Thank you also to the many volunteer marshalls and helpers on the day and to residents on the route for their co-operation as the event passes their properties.

Lindsay Beer
Bluff Publicity/Promotions Officer
03 217 4288
021 351 499

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