Dale Warrander with his eye on the Melbourne Commonwealth Games, easily won the 41st Rotorua marathon in 2h 22m 38s.

Warrander from Tauranga raced out to early lead along Fairy Springs Road which he extended to nearly two minutes at 10km just out of Ngongotaha, passed in 32m 44s.

The Athens Olympian made hard work of the tough uphill climb at the back of the Lake hitting the 20km mark in 66m 44s. Hogarth, looking strong, was through, well clear in second, in 69m 6s.

Once on the flat Warrander moved into top gear, and although later explaining that he was not too flash, extended his lead. 

"I struggled towards the end and I didn't feel too great, it was just a matter of concentrating through to the finish line.

"I wanted to get out to an early lead and then relax, but by 20km I was not that great, so I regathered myself and took on the fluids," said Warrander.

His next goal is the Gold Coast marathon in early July where his aim is to put in a time under 2h 15m which would qualify for selection to the Melbourne Commonwealth Games. 

Hogarth was very happy with his second placing in 2h 28m 10s, a personal best as was third placed Joe Piggin's time of 2h 28m 39s.

A surprise winner of the women's section was trainee teacher Mikki Williden from Auckland. Encouraged by Wellington Scottish sisters Bernie Portenski and Michele Allison at 38km to go for it, Williden went on to gather in early leader Ruth Kingston, Joanna Gemmell and Melanie Burke.

Williden recorded 3h 00m 52s finishing up nearly four minutes ahead of Burke. Potenski stormed through for third and a new 55-59 age group record of 3h 6m 46s.

Max Dravitzki of New Plymouth, who holds the M50 and M55 records added the M60 record after finishing 27th in 2h 54m 56s, three minutes under the previous best.

Results