Jessica Ruthe will be going for three years in a row at the New Zealand road running championships to be held at Unitec in Mt Albert, Auckland on Saturday.

The in form Ruthe, who recently won the prestigious Sydney City to Surf race, should have no trouble negotiating the roads of the campus, for victory in the 10km race.

Chasing her hard will be Rowan Baird, who finished second to Maria Akesson in the national cross country championship in early August, and Otago's Kellie Palmer.
Akesson has scratched from the race, due to an injury.

Ben Ruthe will be looking for a husband and wife double in the men's 10km. The pair achieved this when Ben won at Manfield in 2005. Defending champion Scott Winton, Auckland champion Sam Dobson, Rowan Hooper of Canterbury and Matt Dravitzki will all be in the hunt for the title.

Mathew Mildenhall looks favourite for the M19 title, while Camille Buscomb and Katie Wright should battle out the W19.