Max Smith and Gareth Hyett move up the NZ mile ranking list

Max Smith moved into the top ten fastest New Zealand milers after running the mile in 3m 56.46s in Brasschaat Belgium on Saturday.

Smith finished second behind Alan Webb who broke Steve Scott's 25 year old American record of 3m 47.69s set in Oslo in 1982, by running 3m 46.91s. This makes Webb the eighth fastest all time miler and his record breaking time is the 16th fastest mile ever recorded.

Smith from Dunedin, who is based in the States and currently on the European circuit, moves up the New Zealand all-time ranking list from 24th to 10th, displacing the late John Davies out of the top ten.

Gareth Hyett from Wellington also moved up the list from 26th to 13th in finishing third in the Brasschaat race in 3m 57.46s.

Hamblyn 12th in Tallinn

In other competition in Europe, Paul Hamblyn finished 12th over 1500m in 3m 47.96s in Tallinn Estonia. Race won by Mitchell Kealey of Australia in personal best 3m 39.09s. Jason Stewart was third over 800m in 1m 48.31s at the Savo Games in Lapinlahti Finland. Race won by Tetlo Emmen of USA in 1m 47.61s.

Blincoe wins 1500 in UK

At the Solihull British Milers Club GP in West Midlands UK Adrian Blincoe was first over 1500m in 3m 39.70s, beating Neil Speaight from Belgrave who recorded 3m 40.43s. In the 3000m at the same meeting Dale Summerville recorded 8m 22.63s over 3000m and Tim Prendergast 8m 32.31s.

Henshaw returns for Auckland XCountry win

Nationally, Edwin Henshaw, on a short return to his family in Auckland from his American athletic scholarship in Tulsa, made light work of the muddy conditions to convincingly win the Auckland senior cross country title at the Auckland Domain. Henshaw ran the 11,950m in 42m 27s beating the previously unbeaten this season Sam Dobson by a minute. Defending champion Angus Bell was third. Henshaw the 2003 national junior cross country champion will represent Auckland at the national championships in Dunedin on Saturday week.

Mathew Mildenhall won the men's 19 title in 28m 48s for the 8150m, good preparation for his defence of his national junior title.

Maria Akesson won the women's title over the same distance in 32m 54s, beating Rowan Baird by four seconds. Lara Phillips was third.

Smith wins Hawkes Bay XCountry

Neville Smith of Hastings won the Hawkes Bay Gisborne senior men's cross country title, raced over a 2km hilly, muddy circuit at Gisborne. Smith recorded 49m 36s. Shayna Heywood of Napier won the women's title covering the 8km in 51m 14s. 19 winners were David Morton and Katie Harris both Hastings. Andrea Williams of Hastings won the masters women and Napier's Mark Speakman won the Masters men.

Hurring wins Otago XCountry

Luke Hurring won the Otago senior 12km title at Waikouaiti Race Course in 39m, beating Caden Shields by nine seconds. Matt Lambert was third. Kellie Palmer won the women's title recording 29m 47s for the 8km. Sarah Chisnall was second in 29m 55s, with Megan Balchin third.

McLaren fastest 5km in road relay

Hayden McLaren ran the fastest 5km lap in the Riverside road relay in Hunter Terrace Beckenham Christchurch. McLaren recorded 14m 50s, Richard Olsen 14m 57s and Matt Ingram 15m 14s. Ruth Croft had the fastest lap in the women's relay with 17m 40s.