Athletics: Winds magnify marathon effort in Auckland

By MURRAY MCKINNON

Mark Hutchinson's conservative approach to the climb of the harbour bridge in yesterday's Auckland marathon paid dividends - later in the race.

The 34-year-old Albany fireman had the spark when it counted on the return journey of the BMW-sponsored event to the city after the run out to St Heliers.

Early leader Alastair Snowdon faltered in the strong head winds on the outward journey along Tamaki Drive and his energy was further sapped over the hills on the loop at the back of St Heliers.

Hutchinson, who had indicated a time of 2h 28m before the race, was pleased with his winning effort of 2h 24m 58s in an event which drew a record field.

He was 10th after the start, sixth over the bridge and third at the start of Tamaki Drive.

"They were tough conditions, the wind obviously took its toll on Alastair. As well as the head-wind slog, the side-on wind knocked my stride around," Hutchinson said.

He won the Auckland marathon in 1992, one of the two previous occasions it has crossed the bridge, in 2h 16m 32s.

"The conditions were a bit better then," he quipped.

Hutchinson is preparing for his final marathon race, in Honolulu in six weeks, and his aim is a first-three placing.

"The $2000 first prize has more than paid for my airfare."

He is keen to run his best time in Honolulu, before giving athletics away for triathlons.

Snowdon, of Hawera, started off well at his planned 2h 17m time.

"I felt really good early on, came off the bridge still feeling fresh, but then the wind hit me and I just exploded," he said after finishing in 2h 28m 33s..

Ross Wilson, of Lynndale, stuck to the task, pushing his light frame through the heavy wind and at times sea spray crashing over Tamaki Drive, to claim third in 2h 30m 16s.

Melissa Moon was in excellent form in the women's marathon, winning by a wide margin of 15 minutes, in 2h 45m 42s.

"That's the first one I've finished feeling strong, actually feeling like I could keep going."

The elated Wellington Scottish Club runner said it was a great course - and interesting.

The wind threw her, "but the bridge was a wonderful experience."

Danish visitor Louise Helmer was second in 3h 0m 28s. It was her sixth marathon.

The 27-year-old said she was visiting friends in Te Puke and decided to take in the trip over the bridge.

"My father ran marathons in Denmark and was coached by Arthur Lydiard, so I thought I must come and run a marathon in his country," Helmer said.

Kaitaia ultra-distance runner Lilac Flay, who has raced in every Auckland marathon, including both runs over the bridge, was third in 3h 1m 30s.

Alan Bunce had the honour of leading the 5000-strong combined marathon and half-marathon field over the Harbour Bridge.

Bunce, the New Zealand half-marathon champion, applied the pressure on fellow North Harbour Bays club members Robbie Johnston and Kerry Rodger and Wellington's Matt Dravitzki at the 3km mark.

He had a lead of over a minute by the time they hit the bridge and, despite the twisting and turning around Westhaven, went on for a creditable time of 1h 6m 16s.

Johnston finished over two minutes later for second, with Dravitzki a further eight seconds back in third.

Bunce found the decline on the bridge tough on the legs.

Gabrielle O'Rourke, of Wellington, was the women's half-marathon in a slow 1h 19m 54s, two minutes faster than Nyla Carroll.

Lesley Morton was third.