07/09/2026
Former Harriers member Robin Hames died on Saturday 5 September. Murray McKinnon's obituary for Athletics New Zealand:
"The pioneer of the mile race for women in New Zealand Robin Hames of Auckland passed away on 5 September 2026 aged 89.
Formerly from Canterbury and later Takapuna, she headed the New Zealand rankings for the mile from 1957 to 1960 with a best time of 5:07.2. She also was top of the rankings in the 440 yards 1954 and 1955 and the 880 yards 1956 to 1958 with a best of 2:15.6.
Athletics historian the late Peter Heidenstrom in his book “Athletes of the Century” described Robin Hames ‘as the pioneer of women’s long distance running in New Zealand who concealed the strength of steel in the slimmest of frames’.
She later moved out to the marathon distance, winning at Hamilton in 1979 in 3:09:32 and 1980 in 2:56:37. She was also the first woman in the 1982 Auckland Diamond Pasta Marathon. Hames competed in the inaugural Osaka Women’s Marathon in January 1982 recording 2:46:22.
For many years she worked as PA to the Chief Fire Commander at the Brigade Headquarters in Pitt Street Auckland."
