Athletics: Mud? No worries

By MURRAY McKINNON

Dale Warrander and Melissa Moon made light work of heavy underfoot conditions to win the New Zealand cross-country running crowns at Manukau City.

Both runners are on marathon training schedules, and powered their way through the mud for convincing victories.

Warrander skipped clear of Phil Costley, of Canterbury, over a low hurdle at the end of the second lap and soon had total control of the race. The New Plymouth-based runner, competing for Bays Cougars, completed the six laps over 12,000m in 40m 53s, 1m 34s ahead of Costley.

"Awesome," said a delighted Warrander on crossing the finishing-line. "I planned to make a break when I did and it felt easy, I don't feel like I've had a run.

"The wind was really strong in places and the mud made the conditions tough."

Warrander is now looking forward to a fast 10,000m on the track in Sydney on Thursday.

Once clear of Otago's Shireen Crumpton, Wellington's Moon had the women's 8000m to herself, winning in 30m 49s. It was her fifth title in six years and sets her up for another top performance in the world mountain-running championships in Germany next month.