Warrander wins Auckland Marathon [+pictures]

Competitors on Auckland Harbour Bridge. The Turkish flag is being flown to mark Turkey's national day. Picture / Dean Purcell

Dale Warrander of New Plymouth has beaten the wind and all the other runners to win this year's Auckland Marathon.

Warrander clocked a preliminary time of two hours 17 minutes 45 seconds, meaning he has qualified for the World Championships in Osaka in August next year.

The Auckland race this year doubles as the national championship.

He said he was very happy with today's performance in tough windy conditions, despite not being able to match his time of 2hr 16m 49s from three years ago, which was achieved in still conditions.

Warrander said he knew he had to step on it when his coach told him he was 10 seconds behind the mark, with about 10 kilometres to go.

Aucklander Tracey Clissold won the women's race in 2h 50m 47s.

Clissold holds the women's record of 2h 41m 57s for the Auckland Marathon set in winning in 2004. Clissold also won at Rotorua in 2004 and had previously won in Auckland in 1995 and 1996.

Some 10,480 entries were received across all events - marathon, half marathon, quarter marathon and 5km walk events.

- NEWSTALK ZB / NZHERALD STAFF