The inaugural Tauranga International Marathon was held in ideal conditions earlier this morning, with a runner from the United States taking home the first men's title.
Ryan Dostal, 26, from Nebraska, had never seen the course before the 7am gun, after arriving from a flying visit to Auckland on Friday night.
But he quickly showed out as an early front runner alongside Kunaal Rajpal, 33, a doctor at Tauranga Hospital. The two made an early impression and over the Tauranga Harbour Bridge Dostal made an early break.
"The course was very challenging when you go around the Mount. That was absolutely difficult. It was a very Kiwi thing to send us over so much grass to finish," Dostal said smiling.
"Nothing better than this scenery though. You know given all the challenges I am absolutely happy with my time."