Hamilton Marathon Clinic

Now that things are back to slightly more normal and events are starting to come be held, we
can actually plan out programmes and enter events with some certainty. The club has done its
best to get some variety into Sundays when covid issues kept us out of clubrooms and these
were well received and kept things ticking over. We have our AGM coming up and have
changed the format slightly so people can have a bite to eat and a talk prior to the business.
The club is at a crossroads and for it to go forward and pick up is dependent on all members to
make it happen.

Notice of AGM.
Notice is hereby given that the
2022 AGM of the Hamilton Marathon Clinic
will be held at the clubrooms on May 10 h commencing at 6.30pm.
The Agenda is:
1. Remember members who have passed away.
2. Minutes of 2021 AGM. (Will be circulated prior to event)
3. President’s report.
4. Treasurers Report.
5. Discuss Ruakura Campus Club proposal.
6. Election of Officers.
7. General Business.
(Please Note we will have a BBQ preceding the AGM at 6.00pm)

Ruakura Campus Club.

With falling membership, the rental cost for the clubrooms per person has reached a stage
where it has become untenable with present numbers of members. We would need something
like 100 members to balance the rent and other costs based on the subs paid. We have under
30 members and the cost per member for the rental is over $110. While the clubrooms are in a
central venue there is the issues of rush hour travelling to get there. Members of the
committee have looked at various ways of trying to attract members and possible alternative
venues. These include using existing sports clubs’ venues which would have the facilities we
would need, and the best option is the Ruakura Campus Club. This is a small chartered social
club which is based at Ruakura and opens 3 nights per week. Listed below are some of the
facts in regards to us basing ourselves there.
 HMC membership costs based on$70 (Around what we were paying prior to last year)
would include the cost of being a member of the RCC. (This is a requirement) After
taking their membership costs out, we will still have sufficient to run the club and
based on present membership there would be a saving per capita of around $70.
(Presently the Blueberry has funded this shortfall)
 The Marathon Clinic would still run as a separate identity but our membership would
allow full rights to the RCC.
 RCC members have rights to visit many other similar Clubs nationally. (Aprox 300)
 There are various pathways and tracks around the campus which we can use. Denis has
carried out some rough plotting of courses withing the campus which would be suitable
for club championship events
 If we changed clubnight to Thursday, the bar is open to 7.30 and some bar food
available. Restaurant open Friday and Saturday.
 There is a reasonably large catchment area for potential membership. Potential
members can be signed in by HMC members while they try out the club. RCC has
promised joint promotion amongst their membership and other campus businesses-
They see a fit for a running and walking group as part of their club.
  There is access to tennis courts and swimming pool (with an additional key fee
required.)
 There is a lock up area near the club for storage of HMC equipment.
 Our Honours board etc can be put on walls at RCC.
There are a few other things we are still clarifying, such as ability to get a cup of tea and a
biscuit after events as caterers have exclusive use to kitchen. If the club does decide this is
the way forward, we would need to set up a transitional committee to work with RCC.

Members Happenings.
With so many things being cancelled over last 4 or 5 months there have been very few events
for members.
There are a few starting to get back into the Parkruns now those are on the go again.
Interesting to see numbers appear to be down on some of the first ones so maybe people are
still cautious.
Heather, Lex and Denis all completed the Kirikiriroa Marathon virtual event. Heather, Denis
and a couple of others did it together which was a good way to go. A marathon is a big
achievement and doing it virtual you miss out on the adrenalin boost with starts and finishes.
Things like spectators cheering you on and other competitors to use as something to pick up
speed to try to catch or to get away from the. With a virtual there is none of those and with no
drink stations there needs to be water carried or planned drink stops. With trying to stick to
split times or ticking off the kilometres it becomes a bit lonely out there especially for walkers
and can be hard to maintain your focus on the task in hand. So, a good effort by them.
Heather went a step further and backed up with the Waterfront half, the next day. Just as well
the event weekend was only a two day and not a week later over easter as she might have
gone for a set over the four days and included a quarter and a Park Run.
Keith and Ross are still working their way through New Zealand doing the Run NZ virtual. This
is 4,700km long. It is good motivation to get out each day and do some distance. I am not
sure why people think that it is an obsession when really it is only setting one’s targets. Lots of
people have certain weekly or annual distances, park run milestones, trying to visit every
Parkrun in NZ, or having a certain ratio of hill climbing to kilometres with your runs. (Maybe
we do become a bit obsessed)

Coming events.

30th April Huka Falls Trail Taupo 6.5km, 10.5km

30th April Middle earth Half Hobbiton Half, Quarter
1st May Sunday Club Ruakura Campus.   8.00am Outside Ruakura
Club, entry from Ruakura
Road
3rd May Tuesday Clubnight Clubrooms 5.30pm
8th May Sunday Club BP Horotiu 8.00am
10th May Club Night and AGM Club rooms BBQ 6.00pm AGM
6.30pm
14th May Trail the river Braithwaite Park 6.5km, 12km
Hamilton
14th May Hawkes Bay Marathon Napier
15th May Sunday Club Clubrooms 8.00am
17th May Club Night Clubrooms 5.30am
21st May McLarens Falls Trail Kaimais
22nd May Sunday Club Hamilton Zoo Cafe 8.00am
11th June The Possum Night Run Wairakei Taupo 5,12,1/2 marathon
9th July Cougar Trail Tokoroa 7, 14.5, Half
6th August Taupo Marathon Taupo 5, 10, half, marathon
21st August Craters Trail run Wairakei 7, 12, 21
27th August Mount Half Marathon Mount Maunganui 5, 10, Half