Athletics: NZ's Wyatt in world mountain running win

1.00pm

Just a week after placing 21st in the heat of an Athens Olympic marathon, Wellington runner Jonathan Wyatt has won the world mountain running championship in Italy.

Athletics New Zealand performance manager Tony Rogers today described the win at Sauze d'Oulx, in northern Italy, as "outstanding".

Rogers said Wyatt put together an exceptional effort to regain the title he last held in 2002. A three-time champion, Wyatt missed last year's race in Alaska to prepare for a marathon in Europe.

The 2005 world championships will be held on Wellington's Mt Victoria. The balance of the senior men's team were " reasonably satisfied" with their effort, Rogers said.

From a field of 154 runners, Callum Harland was 46th, followed by Alistair Snowdon (62nd), Mike Wakelin (69th), Joe Piggin (84th) and Kim Hogarth (95th).

In the women's event, New Zealand's top performer was Shireen Crumpton, who ran strongly for eighth, followed home by Rachel Penney (25th), Anna Frost (44th) and Belinda Wimmer (64th).

In the junior men's race, New Zealand's leading athlete was Hayden McLaren in 46th place, ahead of teammates Matthew Singleton (55th), Bevan Stevens (63rd) and Hamish Clareburt (65th).

- NZPA