A wet day was predicted and a downpour delivered.
A rare cancellation of the Edmond Cup happened on Saturday as torrential rain hit the coastal Otago region.
Seasoned observer Bruce Beath expected the course at the Ōtākou Golf Club would hold up better than previous iterations, and the multiple event placegetter was proven right as the absorbent fairways meant muddy areas were minimised, although visible surface flooding observed on Saturday afternoon would have made for an even wetter day for athletes.
Athletics Otago said in a statement the decision to cancel was made in the interests of the safety of competitors, volunteers and supporters.
It is believed the decision was made pragmatically based on the Dunedin City Council’s recommendation to avoid all non-essential travel, alongside the early indications of potential rockfalls along Portobello Rd.
Beath recalled many worse conditions, including "horizontal snow" in years gone by, but conceded the right decision was made.
"I expect the golfers would not have been happy to have the course churned up by runners’ spikes.
"[The weather conditions] could have resulted in us all sleeping in our cars overnight if the road was to be closed."
Becky de la Harpe, the women’s pre-race favourite, will have to wait for another tilt at her maiden title.
She said while it was a shame the race was cancelled, her attention had already turned firmly toward the Otago cross-country and New Zealand cross-country championships.
The Otago cross-country is at Chisholm Links on July 13, while the national championships are at a Hagley Park circuit in Christchurch on August 2-3.
With a growing southern contingent assembling, some strong teams could be in the running for national titles.
By Luke Geddes
