Athletics: Two in a row for duathlon champ

Mark Bailey, 25, won the New Zealand duathlon championship men's race for the second consecutive year in Palmerston North.

The Christchurch house surgeon finished the race - a 10km run, 42km cycle and 5km run - in 1h 55m 15s, carving 2m 36s off his previous year's time.

The result assured him of a place in the national team to compete in Rimin, Italy, on September 16.

Rotorua's Graeme Pearson, who competed in the 40-44 years age group, was second and Brisbane's David Brown third.

Wellington's Catriona Morrison, 24, won the women's race in 2h 12m 42s, with Taupo's Anna Tyler four minutes adrift in second and Auckland's Sue Clark third.