Running coach Selwyn Mawkes was instrumental in resurrecting the Te Puke Harriers programme about 10 years ago.

He provided training six days a week, including the running side of weekly athletics night.

But with announcement last week of the Harriers closing its doors, people may be wondering what Markes’ plans are now.

He said he will “will continue coaching”.

In his own words below, Mawkes describes his journey and his future plans.

I first became a Te Puke Harrier member back in 1966. After living in Tauranga for 32 years I moved back to Te Puke in January 2012 and wondered what I was going to do in my retirement.

It didn’t take much thought to decide to use my running knowledge and experience to help kids with their running.

I had been coaching on and off since 1975 but now it was time to make a real difference.

I became accredited with Athletics NZ and succeeded with other endorsements to be able to give the kids good advice and healthy training opportunities.

We now find ourselves in the unfortunate situation of Te Puke Athletics having to be put into recess and this has an impact on Te Puke Harriers, which is too small to realistically become an incorporated society.

Fortunately, Pāpāmoa Athletics Club has stepped in, and we will now be joining them, although I am still hopeful there will be a Te Puke Harriers club next winter season.

There is more information on Pāpāmoa Athletic Club’s Facebook page.

The 2025 Harrier season has now come to an end.

We ran on farms in and around Te Puke, competed in the Waikato/BOP Championships, North Island Championships, Tauranga Open Cross Country, visited the Blue Lake, Run the Night, King and Queen of the Mountain, relays, handicap runs and more.

Here are some of our results:

Run the Night 10k

Girls: Sophie Reid 10-19 years 1st, Sarah Isaac 6th.

Boys: Jax Harston 4th, Sam Milham 5th, Daniel White 6th, Ryan Parton 8th.

5k

Girls: Sasha Isaac 3rd, Kaydence Martin 6th, Ella Parton 11th, Ava Harston 22nd.

Boys: Troy Parton 2nd under 9.

King and Queen of the Mountain

Under 11: Ryan Parton 1st, Troy Martin 3rd, Joshua Speedy 9th. 12-15 Jax Harston 6th, Daniel White 8th.

Girls: Ella Parton 9th. ​

Tauranga Open Cross Country

Under 14 girls: Sophie Reid 3rd.

Under 14 boys: Sam Milham 3rd, Jayden Hume 4th.

Under 12 boys: Joshua Speedy 17th.

Under 12 girls: Kaydence Martin 5th.

Under 10 girls: Zoe Speedy 1st.

North Island Cross Country

Under 14 girls: Sophie Reid 4th, Sascha Isaac 20th, Ella Parton 23rd, Sarah Isaac 24th.

Under 14 boys: Sam Milham 10th, Jayden Hume 14th, Daniel White 22nd, Van Wilkie 24th.

Under 12 boys: Ryan Parton 1st, Joshua Speedy 28th.

Under 12 girls: Kaydence Martin 15th.

Under 10 girls: Zoe Speedy 2nd, Indie Wilkie 6th.

Under 10 boys: Troy Parton 4th.

Waikato/Bop Cross Country

Under 14 Girls: Sophie Reid 2nd, Sasha Isaac 11th, Sarah Isaac 12th.

Boys: Sam Milham 2nd, Jayden Hume 4th, Daniel White 5th.

Under 12 girls: Kaydence Martin 3rd, Zoe Speedy 4th.

Under 12 boys: Ryan Parton 1st, Troy Parton 8th, Joshua Speedy 9th.

Waikato/BOP Road Championships

Under 14 boys: Sam Milham 2nd, Jayden Hume 4th.

Under 14 girls: Sarah Isaac 4th, Ella Parton 5th.

Under 12 boys: Ryan Parton 1st, Troy Parton 4th, Joshua Speedy 5th.

Te Puke Road Championships

Under 16 boys 4k: Jax Harston 15m03s, Under 14 boys: 3k Sam Milham 10m59s, Jayden Hume 11m44s, Daniel White 12m05s, Van Wilkie 13m06s.

Under 14 girls 3k: Sophie Reid 11m24s, Ava Harston 14m04s. Under 12 boys 2k: Ryan Parton 7m17s. Under 10 Boys 1k: Troy Parton 3m59s

Under 10 Girls 1k: Zoe Speedy and Indie Wilkie 1st.

We hope many Te Puke track and field athletes will join those of us who are going to Pāpāmoa this athletic season.

I have been invited to be part of the coaching team as a head coach for middle distance, generally the 800 and 1500m.

Visit Pāpāmoa Athletic Club website for more information or phone Mawkes on 027 251 8779.