Running: Games 'rejects' to lock horns

By MURRAY McKINNON

Phil Costley, of Hastings, views his attempt to regain the New Zealand cross-country running title at Manukau City on Saturday as a battle of the Olympic Games marathon rejects.

Costley, who will be representing his adopted province, Canterbury, faces a tough challenge from Dale Warrander in the 12km event.

Both Costley and Warrander made bold attempts to make the Olympic Games team in the marathon. However, the difficult New Zealand standard of 2h 13m eluded them.

"All those who still had a chance of making the Olympics are in Australia. We are the leftovers going for the cross-country title," Costley said yesterday.

Winning New Zealand titles has become a favourite pastime of Costley and although he last won the cross-country crown three years ago, he now has the 10km road, marathon, 3000m steeplechase and mountain running titles to his credit.

"Apart from 1998 when I was at the Kuala Lumpur Commonwealth Games, I had won a medal at every cross-country championship since 1993," Costley said.

His tally is a gold, two silver and two bronze.

He said he had taken things easy since the Gold Coast marathon at the end of June where he failed to beat the Olympic Games qualifying time, despite finishing a creditable second.

Herald Online Olympics