Cross country: Christian Conder, Sarah Lambert take out centre titles

Sarah Lambert was one of two Whanganui runners to take out Manawatu Whanganui Centre titles in Feilding on Saturday. Photo/ Tanysha-Rochelle Jones

Whanganui runners have continued their good form through the business end of the cross country season picking up two titles at the Manawatu Whanganui Centre Championships.

Wanganui Harrier Club's Christian Conder dominated to win the combined senior men and masters men 10km race while Sarah Lambert won the women's under 20 4km race at the championships hosted by the Feilding Moa Harrier Club on Saturday.

While the farm land proved a demanding, the near perfect weather conditions helped competitors navigate the courses.

The two centre titles for Wanganui follow the club claiming two podium places at the North Island Cross Country Championship the previous weekend when a large Whanganui contingent headed up to Taupo for the event.

Nat Kirk claimed silver in the B14 4km race while William Sinclair also finished second in the men's under 20 5km race.

It was the pair's second outing over the Taupo course in less than a month and with both boys improving on their performances at the New Zealand Secondary Schools Cross Country back in June.

Christian Conder finished 7th in the men's 9km race at the North Island Cross Country Championships in his first senior season. Photo/ Kate Quigley

Meanwhile, Conder also had a strong performance at the North Island Cross Country in Taupo in what is his first year as a senior athlete, finishing 7th in the men's 9km race.

Conder is home for summer break after completing his first year of a four-year running scholarship at the University of North Florida.

Eight Wanganui Harrier Club runners are now preparing to represent the Manawatu Whanganui Centre at the National Cross Country in Tawa on August 5.