Rodney College's Romahn Howard dominated the Northland Secondary Schools Cross-country, taking the senior boys' title on the tough Barge Park course for the second year in succession.
Howard who specialises in triathlons had the strength and fitness required to make an early break on the field and hold it to the
finish of the three-lap 6km course, despite a valiant attempt for honours from Pompallier College's Harry Linton.
"I decided to attack the race and get a break on the field and this worked well. I was pretty shot by the end, but it was sweet winning for the second time," Howard said.
Linton was pleased with his performance, finishing second in 23m 48s, just 16s behind Howard's 23m 32s. Jordan McIntyre from Kamo High took third in 23m 57s.
Kerikeri High's Melissa Simpson raced to an early lead in the senior girls' 4km event, with Girls High's Grace Miller in close attendance.
Millar looked strong in the middle stages, challenging Simpson and briefly taking the lead, but Simpson, still in control, quickly regained the lead striding out and building up an unassailable lead over the last 1.5km to take gold in 17m 43s, with Millar finishing in 18m 12s.
"I felt comfortable in the first lap and in the second tried to hold form and was able to push away," Simpson said.
Kerikeri's Rachel Martin, recovering from an injury, started cautiously moving up through the field throughout the race to take a well-deserved third, in 18m 25s.
In the Year 9 girls' 3km race, Kerikeri's Imogen Hull added to her impressive string of running victories, taking gold ahead of Girls High's Amanda Still - who might have challenged if Hull had shown any weakness.
"I ran out fast and enjoyed the flat run, but it was hard on the double hills and I was stuffed on the tough course," Hull said.
Still was pleased with her effort and second placing.
Kerikeri's Joe Palmer was another runner who stood out with his clear win in the Year 11 Boys' race.
Sport Northland organised the cross-country for the 212 competitors - 92 boys and 120 girls - from Northland's schools.
Former Boys' High teacher and one of Athletics Whangarei coaches, Chris Portch, was impressed with the quality of many of the competitors and with the event overall.
