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I not see that Paul’s comments are necessarily targeting one team, his comment seem to be philosophical and therefore (to me) do have validity – without malice. I do not see that you need to be at the Relay to have the points of view that he expressed.
The “Magic” have been around a while and we all love to have the “Magic” in this relay (sorry I was not there this year – a family situation got in the way). The “Magic” are a quality Team (“gun”, if you like) but no-one would question the way you put the team together – Club Members and Mates is how I see it – no problems at all. In a Championship Relay (like the Ekiden, in Wellington) then there are strict conditions re membership of Teams. In a ‘fun” event like the Marton/Wangnaui Relay teams can be made up as you like – indeed I have “made up” Teams to participate in myself (not so much a “gun” team, but more of the “pop-gun” type of team).
Looking at the Scottish “A” Team’s results (that I was sent), Paul’s comments would probably be quite applicable to this team (although it was not what you could really call a “gun” Team). Not only did they have a walker do consecutive legs (6 & 7), but Peter Baillie appears to have walked three legs (legs 4,6 &7) - I do not agree with that – it is not the idea of the event. There were at least two other walkers in the Scottish “A” Team that could have done a second leg (instead of Peter doing three legs). Scottish may possibly have had a reason – I do not know as I was not there.
I have no problem with Walkers doing consecutive legs as most teams have walkers doing two legs – what does it matter if they are consecutive or not? But doing three legs (unless as a emergency) is not the idea of the event.
Did the Manawatu Magic have walkers doing more that two legs? If so, both Scottish and they appear to need thinking about what they are doing in this Relay. If the “Magic did not, then there is no problem - as afar as I am concerned good on them for continuing their high standard of performance.
So, although I do not agree with all Paul’s comments in this case, it is quite important that we all keep in mind the “idea” of these type of events and sometimes it does not hurt to be reminded about that.
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Bart Jones
Wellington NEW ZEALAND - A great place to visit!!!!!!!
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On 10/9/07 7:41 PM, "Andrus & Michelle" <leim@...> wrote:
I guess it's prudent or (not prudent) to reply to this from the"gun" team. Not sure Paul if you are referring to Manawatu Magic. But as we have won it 3 years in a row and broken the record 3 years in a row.......Then I guess it's us. Other comments seam to agree that the reference is to us.
Firstly you weren't there. So everything you have heard is second hand. But I would like to add comments to the "not so good" points about relays.
You say relays are brilliant club building experience. All but 2 of us are from the Palmerston North Athletics club. So Yes It is good for our club. Julie, no longer is, as she is now in the Naki. But she is one of the main organisers and the "manager" of our 4 year old team. We have not put together a team to win at any cost. As 4 years ago this team started and has done other relays like Lake Taupo, etc. We have and always do have people of different ability. One funny comment made but one whom shall remain nameless said they were 15 kg's heavier this year. One is fighting a hamstring injury but for dedication to the team still did a leg. Another whom has been sick for a large number of weeks felt very unfit but still gave them a 7k leg. Thus a few being quite unfit. As for Michelle and I we are not training at the mo having just finished National road champs, and need a break.
As for a team destroying the event. This has not happened at Taupo where the Naki teams have dominated it for years until others decided to meet the challenge. This was also the case in this relay. We are the ones who quite surprisingly won 3 years ago. Up until this year it has been quite close with the Naki being within minutes most of the way.
I can say that none of us feel like "guns". And do not want others to feel alienated by us. As we very much love these events and enjoy the camaraderie and jostling we have along the way with our other teams.
I and Michelle feel these relays are where we get to see so many of our friends and have a great time with them as we race them and challenge them throughout the day.
Regards
Andrus Lei
----- Original Message -----
From: Paul Godbaz <mailto:paul.godbaz@...>
To: Kiwiwalkers <mailto:Kiwiwalkers@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Monday, September 10, 2007 10:51 AM
Subject: [Kiwiwalkers] Walking Relays.
This message is not aimed at any particular group and the contents can be freely debated on this group and among yourselves.
After last Saturday's Marton to Wanganui Relay, a top quality event conducted by the Wanganui Harrier Club, I have heard a few comments being made about both the good points and the not-so-good points of relays.
The good points include the undeniable benefits bought about by combining team/club members into a group to contest a fairly conducted event where they give their best, regardless of ability, to achieve a joint aim. Relays are a brilliant club-building experience.
The not-so-good points of relays are headed by groups regularly assembling a "gun" team out to win at any cost and having little regard for others of lesser ability. To truly enter into the friendly spirit of a relay teams achieve much more if the team includes some members of different ability. Otherwise the "gun" team will eventually destroy the event.
A relay is a team event in which a different member of the team takes over the task at the end of each stage (leg) of the event. This means that members of a team DO NOT walk consecutive stages. Some teams will say that they are put at a disadvantage if a member of their team has to complete a second later stage. What they are really saying is that they are gaining an advantage by having members of their team walking consecutive stages. This is a disadvantage and unfair to the other teams, without whom there will be no event.
If the event entry form says that a team member can walk one or two stages this means that they can only walk a maximum of two stages, unless of course there is a genuine reason for walking more. Experience has shown that the person/s selected to walk multiple stages are the "gun" walkers. Is this really fair to the other teams ?
Taranaki Racewalkers are to be congratulated on the way in which they spread their "gun" walkers among various team, giving every member of their club a chance of being in a winning team.
Let's all do the same in future and NO walking consecutive stages. Paul.
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