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Kate McIlroy of the Wellington, the world mountain running champion, added the New Zealand title after a gruelling climb up Black Birch Range at the back of Blenheim today.
The 24 year old led from the start in the 7.3km race and with the competition provided by the junior men in the same race went on to win by over a minute ahead of defending champion Melissa Moon.
McIlroy recorded 45m 11s, a good indicator leading into a European track season starting in late July.
"It is the first real rugged run I've had, it was hard and it was tough," said McIlroy.
It is unlikely that McIlroy will be defending her world title in Turkey in September.
Moon also from Wellington said that she felt strong all the way.
"The strength was back there today, and my goal was to run strongly the whole way," said Moon.
The twice world champion said the other goal she had set herself going into the event was to make the New Zealand team to the world championship in Turkey.
Anna Frost of Dunedin was third, with Carline Thomas, the 2001 champion, claiming fourth and the first master woman.
Dale Warrander had control of the men's title from the start and on the first steep pinch went into a commanding lead which he held to the finish amongst the snow.
The 32 year old fitness advisor from New Plymouth climbed nearly 1700m cutting out the 12.1km in 1h 5m 23s, to beat defending champion Phil Costley of Christchurch by over two minutes.
Warrander, Costley and Craig Kirkwood of Wellington led out early in the race up the Black Birch Range. On the first steep pinch Warrander and Kirkwood made a break and shortly after Warrander was out on his on. Costley moved through to second ahead of Kirkwood, who suffered from cramping calf muscles over the second half.
"I took the lead through the steep section through the bush, consolidated a good lead and got into a good rhythm," said Warrander.
"I must admit the high altitude hit me over the last 2km and I was pleased to see the finish line," he added.
Costley said that he was not sure what form he was in.
"It was a mental thing, I just put my head down and ground it out," he said.
"I was pleased with that, and I'm down to run the national half marathon championship and then I will plan the cross country season from there," added Costley.
Angus Bell of Auckland was a creditable third in 1h 8m 15s.
Aaron Jackson of Auckland won the junior men's title. Fourth last year and the best placed New Zealander at the world championship with 19th place covered the 7.3km in 43m 7s.
North Canterbury athletes took the first three placings in the junior women Lucy Oliver winning the 4.8km event in 33m 8s from Nicole Rogal and defending champion Ruth Croft.
Results:
Men 12.1km: Dale Warrander (New Plymouth) 1h 5m 23s 1, Phil Costley (Chch) 1h 7m 43s 2, Angus Bell (Akld) 1h 8m 15s 3, Craig Kirkwood (Wgtn Scottish) 1h 9m 26s 4, Stafford Thompson (Dunedin) 1h 10m 40s 5, Patrick Meffan (Nelson) 1h 10m 49s 6.
Women 7.3km: Kate McIlroy (Wgtn) 45m 11s 1, Melissa Moon (Wgtn Scottish) 46m 20s 2, Anna Frost (Dunedin) 48m 53s 3, Carline Thomas (Wgtn) 49m 25s 4, Sarah Devoy (Hamilton) 50m 46s 5, Kellie Palmer (Dunedin) 50m 57s 6.
Junior men 7.3km: Aaron Jackson (Akld) 43m 7s 1, Dougan Butler (Hawera) 44m 25s 2, Patrick Strong (Nelson) 44m 42s 3, Matt Singleton (Wgtn) 45m 6s 4, Ben Bamford (Nth Cant) 45m 21s 5, Aaron Murrihy (Taumarunui) 46m 47s 6.
Junior women 4.8km: Lucy Oliver (Nth Cant) 33m 8s 1, Nicole Rogal (Nth Cant) 33m 50s 2, Ruth Croft (Nth Cant) 34m 52s 3, Katy Pottinger (Hamilton) 36m 10s 4, Natasha Murrihy (Taumarunui) 37m 8s 5, Ria Huitema (Hamilton) 38m 39s 6.
Masters men 7.3km: 35-39; Alan Keen (Dunedin) 49m 49s 1, Clive Reynolds (Tauranga) 51m 5s 2, Peter Bayliss (Chch) 57m 12s 3. 40-44; Cliff Bowman (Waimea) 46m 16s 1, Warren Drought (Hawera) 55m 48s 2. 45-59; Colin Earwaker (Rotorua) 44m 22s 1, Desmond Young (Wgtn) 51m 2s 2, Anthony Rogal (Chch) 57m 13s 3. 50-54; Mike Morrissey (Marlborough) 50m 41s 1, David Colquhoun (Wgtn) 51m 49s 2. 55-59; Ian Morrison (Nelson) 51m 58s 1, Mike Lea (Nelson) 57m 0s 2, Robert Rodger (Marborough) 1h 0m 46s 3. 60-64; John Shivas (Chch) 59m 6s 1, Norman Carrington (Waimea) 1h 0m 56s 2. 65-69; Raymond Waters (Marlborough) 1h 12m 43s 1.
source Athletics New Zealand |
