Linford powers to win for fun

Hatea Harriers' 10km Round the Mountain Run is a fun event but serious runners still like to shine.

Sunday's run was no exception, with Harry Linford leading 250 participants to the finish line in the fast time of 38m 37s, and out-running many older and more experienced opponents, including his clubmate Jason Trass, second, in 39m.

Linford is the Men's 16 Years Northland cross country and road champion who is coached by Lindsay McKendrick, gold medallist in the 1967 Rotorua marathon.

"It was a tough and challenging course and Jason pushed me all the way which helped me to a good time. The lead changed twice in the first 5km until I took control," Linford said.

Third home was 16-year-old Ryan Toki, from Whangarei Boys' High School, in 40:43. Toki, while not a runner, keeps fit through competing in kick-boxing.

Sally Hale led the women home in 44m 22s. She is a newcomer to running circles in Whangarei, but is the elder sister to Northland senior road champion and top cyclist Chubby Hale.

Janice Powell, Athletics Whangarei, took second in 45:02, followed by Anna Jagger in 49:40.

In the walk, Allan Connelly - just back from competing in the Palmerston North half-marathon where he finished fifth in the walk in 2h 20m - strode home to win the fast time of 1h 04m.

Youngest competitors were Brody Mackereth and Jamey Clinch, both 7, while the oldest competitor was regular fun runner, 87-year-old Athletic Whangarei's Colin Thorne.

Steve Mitchell, of Waimate North, who has never won a major spot prize before in years of competing, was an ecstatic winner of the major spot-prize, a $1000 dollar travel voucher sponsored by Pauline Dinsdale, from Ray White Real Estate.