Competing in Athletic Whangarei's cross-country on Saturday, Mike Gowing showed he had retained his level of fitness developed in the triathlon season and is likely to make his mark in higher-profile races later in the harrier season.
The 1.9km circuit over challenging undulations, grass and boggy patches at Pohe Island provided
a short, sharp workout for the club's runners, with competitors choosing to complete one, two, three or four laps.
"A testing course, challenging - and good for conditioning for later in the season," Ian Babe the club's president said.
Gowing took top honours for three laps completing the 5.7km in 20:18, well clear of Ryan Slater in 21:35.
Despite a knee injury, Rob Lieffering demonstrated determination, finishing four laps - the only runner to complete the 7.6km option, in 33:09.
Amanda Still (13) ran impressively to win honours for one lap in 7:55, almost a minute ahead of Rachyl Edge; while Shintaro Fushito-Hardy won the two-lap race by more than two minutes.
Babe was pleased with Saturday's run, especially in the light of other high-profile events being conducted during the weekend.
"A number of the club's competitors and supporters travelled to the Rotorua Marathon and a number of club athletes also competed in the Dargaville Sport Northland Fun Run on Sunday," he said.
Results:
1 Lap (1.9km): 1 Amanda Still 7:55, 2 Rachyl Edge 8:52, 3 Portia Olney Kemp 8:55, 4 Shotaro Fushida-Hardy 9:03, 5 Hide Hashimoto 9:11, 6 Kieran Ruffell 9.28, 7 Conner Mackereth 9:36, 8 Keeli Mackereth 10:45, 9 Kate Milina 10:45, 10 Eliott Ruffell 10:49, 11 Jack Milina 12:03, 12 Anika Thomason 12:07, 13 Oscar Ruffell 14:56, 14 Jan Ruffell 14.57, 15 Graham Hardy 14: 58, 16 Jan Olny Kemp 18:10, 17 Jill Ruffell 19:18.
2 Laps (3.8km): 1 Shintaro Fushida-Hardy 15:26, 2 Aaron Greenhalgh 17.35, 3 Christine Fraser 17:48, 4 Ashlee Greenhalgh 19:05, 5 Ngatsuko Fushida-Hardy 19.45.
3 Laps (5.7 km): 1 Mike Gowing 20:18, 2 Ryan Slater 21:36, 3 Fred Needam 22:38, 4 Jimmy Kettlewell 27:52, 5 Murray Ruffell 27:60, 6 Janice Powell 28:51, 7 Tony Langton 28.55, 8 Delwyn Smith 30:04, 9 Rob Griffin 30.08, 10 Morris Gray 35:36.
4 Laps (7.6km): 1 Rob Lieffering 33.09.
