A stray spike to the foot of Phil Costley fired the world championship cross-country runner to his second South Island cross-country title in Christchurch.
The Christchurch schoolteacher won the 9000m event with relative ease in chilling conditions.
Costley said the large pack in the men's race "got tangled" at the first bend. His left foot was spiked and "that got me fired up".
He led from that turn to head second-placed Mark Bailey of New Brighton and Rob Howell of Thames.
He finished in 28 minutes 16 seconds, to add the title to the national 4km cross-country event he won in Wellington.
Dunedin runner Brooke Eddy defended her women's title, with University of Canterbury's Tania Cooper second and Kelly Humphries of North Canterbury third.
- NZPA
Athletics: Spike injury fires runner
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