Athletics: Mountain champ wins in Rotorua

Double world mountain running champion Jonathan Wyatt achieved a rare athletic feat by winning the Rotorua marathon around the picturesque Lake Rotorua course.

It was Wyatt's first marathon and followed the Hutt Valley Harriers Club member winning the world championship mountain running crowns in 1998 and 2000.

He is only the second first-time contestant to win the race, the other being Dave Heine in 1965.

Wyatt finally broke clear of Phil Clode at 31km and went on to record an encouraging 2h 20m 50s.

The pace was on from the start, the first 5km coming up in 16m 22s, with Wyatt and Clode joined by Mark Bright, Katsumi Tsuchiya, of Japan, and Matt Dravitzki.

Wyatt was in his element over the hill, with only Clode able to stick with him.

At 29km, Clode made a dash to the lead, but Wyatt soon gathered him in. He then unleashed a series of three-minute kilometre splits to put the race beyond doubt.

A disappointed Clode repeated his second placing of 1995 in 2h 22m 23s, with Mark Hutchinson storming through to claim third in 2h 23m 55s.

Wyatt, 28, said he was happy to get through his first marathon with no problems.

"It was tough and I now know why you have to respect the marathon."

Clode said: "He ran a smart race, and he is obviously in good nick. I'm disappointed I didn't come away with the win, but I ran as hard as I could."

The first overall woman was Marion Millward, of Raglan, who repeated her win of 1997 in 2h 49m 14s.

Nyla Carroll was second and Helen Tolhurst third.

Bernie Portenski produced an outstanding time for a 51-year-old of 2h 56m 1s, to carve 14 minutes off the 50-54 age group record, in finishing fourth.