| Cross Country running legend Barry Everitt of Waikanae died on Monday 10 January 2022 aged 84.
Patron and a stalwart of the Wellington Harrier Athletic Club for over 70 years, Everitt was enticed to going and running at the harrier club as a youngster with the incentive of free cake and cordial at the end of the run. He enjoyed the running and a further incentive to continue was that he started to win races. At Wellington Technical College he was breaking cross country records by a minute and a half.
Everitt went on to compete for New Zealand in the International Cross Country Championships in 1965 in Ostend, Belgium finishing 40th, in Barry, Wales in 1967 finishing 25th and in Glasgow, Scotland in 1969 finishing 37th.
He was second in the 1963 New Zealand three mile championship, and third in 1964. He was second in the 1966 New Zealand six mile championship. At the 1966 New Zealand cross country championship he was second.
He never missed a club or centre cross country or road race over his long career. He was a key member of the WHAC Club’s numerous road relay victories during the 1960’s and 1970’s including the Wellington to Masterton, Around the ranges Palmerston North, Motueka to Nelson and Marton to Whanganui relays.
He later competed in masters athletics winning the M45 5,000m and 10,000m titles in 1984.
He was President and made a life member in 1979, of the WHAC club and the Everitt Plate in his honour is presented each year to the top club at the Vosseler Shield cross country at Mt Victoria.
Details of his funeral and a tribute to Barry is online at WHAC club website link here https://whac.org.nz/wp/news/
Barry’s funeral service will be held at Harbour City Funeral Home Chapel, 300 Kapiti Road, Paraparaumu, on Wednesday, January 19, 2022, at 2.00pm |
