Athletics: Fifth-attempt victory in time for birthday

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Melissa Moon had all the reasons she could ever have wished for to celebrate in faraway Italy yesterday.

A day after her stunning fifth-time-lucky victory in the world mountain running championships, Moon was out celebrating her 32nd birthday.

A teacher at Wainuiomata College, Moon showed the grit and determination such racing demands in winning the 8.5km race early yesterday (NZT). Her time was 38m 02s.

"It is a fantastic feeling," said Moon, who has been a regular at the championships since 1997. "Mountain racing varies each year. Some years it is up and down, others just uphill. This year we had both.

"Technically it was the most difficult course I have run. The uphill, which took between 15-20 minutes, was very steep and demanding. The descent of around five or six minutes was tricky and I had to watch myself.We then had a rollercoaster of 13 ups and downs to the finish."

Moon, who finished third in 1997 and again a year later, attributed her victory to time spent preparing and racing in Europe.

"This year I came over and did two races. I knew the course inside out. Physically and mentally I was the best prepared I have been."

New Zealand also had success in the junior women's race over 5.5km. Sarah Devoy, of Hamilton, finished second in 27m 36s.

"I was leading up the hill and halfway down before I was passed by a Swiss runner," the 18-year-old Waikato University student said. "She was quicker than me over the final stages, but I was still only 11s behind her at the finish."