In an emotional finish to the junior men 3000-metre event at the Cooks Classic in Whanganui, a new national champion was crowned.
Youthful Jared Lautenslager from the Tasman club in Nelson out-finished Whanganui's own Christian Conder to claim the New Zealand under-20 title.
The 18-year-old punched the air as he crossed the line before dropping to the ground shedding tears of joy. He then returned to his feet and tearfully hugged his dad and coach Greg Lautenslager in celebrating his first ever national title.
"That's been six years in the making,' Lautenslager said immediately after the race.
"I've been denied a title that long. I am absolutely rapt to have it now and to beat Christian was a bonus. We have competed against each other many times over the years."
Last season Lautenslager was ranked eighth in the junior ranks with a personal best of 8.37.68 for the 3000m. On Tuesday in slightly windy conditions Lautenslager clocked 8.37.96.