Athletics New Zealand Media Release

New Zealand Cross Country Championships.

The Oceania titles at the New Zealand cross country championships in Christchurch on Saturday went to Australian athletes, with the New Zealand senior titles going to Canterbury runners.

Melinda Vernon of Australia came back over the final lap to outgun Fiona Crombie in the women's race and Australian Tim Rowe just pipped local Andrew Davidson on the line in the men's 12km.

Davidson was over the moon in winning the New Zealand title after clocking the same time as Rowe of 38m 13s.
"I've been second four times in national events, it is overwhelming to win this one which I've always wanted to win. I shed a few tears at the end, it was a bit emotional as it was very important to me," said Davidson.
The 26 year old doctor at Christchurch Hospital said that he gave the race one hundred per cent.

"I gave it everything to be honest to get the gap. I made my play there, I made my statement and said if you are going to catch me, well I've given it everything so have a go,"
Rowe said that he had crossed the Tasman to put it on the line.

"I thought I was gone with 6km to go, so I eased off on the uphill and attacked on the downhill on each lap and made up a bit of ground. On the last lap I thought I was gone and running for third, my coach has had me practicing surging in training so I did a bit of that in the race and then fast kicked at the finish, said Rowe.
Rowe led early in the race with Rees Buck taking up the front running on the second lap. Rowe was back in control on lap three and four. The race came alight heading into the fifth circuit of the Halswell Quarry Park course, with Rowan Hooper, runner up for the last two years, sprinting into the lead. Rowe and Davidson held on with Edwin Henshaw and Kim Hogarth drifting back. On the uphill on the fifth lap Davidson made his bid for victory and moved into a commanding lead over Rowe and Henshaw. In the end Davidson just couldn't hold on. Henshaw was third in 38m 25s followed by Hogarth, Hooper and Buck.

Vernon led the women's 8km over the second lap, with Crombie holding the working her way back into the lead on the third circuit. Vernon showed plenty of strength in hauling herself in front on the final circuit which she held to finish in 28m 52s, 15 seconds faster than Crombie. Kellie Palmer was third with Sarah Biss fourth.

Vernon who is deaf said that it was difficult to stay patient.
"It is hard to stay patient as I can't hear the external distractions which makes it harder," she said.

"It was a matter of staying in there and hold on to the pain and push through that barrier, added Vernon.
Crombie said that she put herself into the race to chase.

"It was enjoyable and I ran as hard as I could for the entire race. It is my first cross country title which is really great and I'm really happy about that," she said.

Richard Bennett of Canterbury made history in winning the masters men 8km outright. The 44 year old became the first athlete to win the championship four years in a row. Bennett increased his lead the further the race progressed and he crossed the finish in 26m 35s for the 8km, over half a minute clear of Ross McIntyre who just pipped Glen Ferguson for third.

Bennett said that he was aiming to get four titles in a row.
"I didn't realise that four in a row was significant until the last week, so I am very happy to get it," said Bennett.

Tracy Crossley of Canterbury won the masters women 6km in 23m 5s, after a sustained final sprint that carried her five seconds clear of Bridget Ray of Waikato Bay of Plenty.

"I just dug very deep - actually it went as I planned, that's almost a perfect race for me. It's just awesome," said Crossley.

Hannah Newbould of Canterbury won the women's 19 title, beating Auckland's Danielle Trevis by nine seconds, with Aaron Pulford of Waikato Bay of Plenty collecting the men's 19 in 26m 11s for the 8km, 20 seconds ahead of Auckland's Alex Parlane.

Pulford who looks to have a good future in the sport said it was determination that drove him to improve on his second placing last year.

"It was pretty hot and I loved the course, a big hill in it and then a nice downhill. It suited me down to the ground as I'm pretty good on the hills," said Pulford.

"I held my pace and saved a bit for the last kilometre in case anyone hung in with me," he added.
Newbould bypassed her normal Saturday netball competition for the championships.

"During the week I came out and had a training run six times up the hill and around the course - and I'm sure that helped today," said Newbould.

"I ran the first lap within my comfort zone, but I was dying towards the end, it was hurting quite a bit," she added.

The 16 titles went to Anna-Lisa Uttley of Otago and Mohamed Ali of Waikato Bay of Plenty.

Ali gave an outstanding display of front running clearing out from the start to win the 6km in 19m 58s, 16 seconds ahead of Auckland's Sam Morreau.

Ali said that he thought he wouldn't make it to the starting line.

"I've been sick quite a lot and John (coach John Tylden) said to go hard and do my best - no pressure.
"I was meant to stick in with the bunch, but I just had a lead so I kept that up. The last lap was a bit hard as the weakness came in and I started feeling weak, I couldn't wait to finish," said a relieved Ali.

STOCKHOLM - 31 July 2009
Nikki Hamblin, who has been confirmed in the New Zealand team in the 800m and 1500m for the world championships in Berlin later this month, finished eighth over 1500m at an international meeting in Sweden.
Hamblin recorded 4m 9.49s at the DN Galan meeting, just under a second outside her personal best set in the Netherlands in June.

LOUGHBOROUGH, ENGLAND - 29 July 2009
EAP Meeting
Monique Williams 100m heats won in 11.62s (+1.3), third in final 11.48s (+2.7). Williams won the 200m in 23.40s (-0.5). James Dolphin was fourth in the 200m in 21.54s (+0.1). Andrea Miller was third in her heat of the 100m hurdles in 13.63s (+1.1), DNS in final.

WATFORD, ENGLAND - 29 July 2009
BMC Meeting
Tim Prendergast 12th B 800m in 1m 56.36s.

KAMNIK, SLOVENIA - 26 July 2009
Jonathan Wyatt was second in the Grintovec 9.6km rising 1957m mountain running event. Wyatt, who holds the race record of 1h 15m 43s, recorded 1h 19m 12s. Robert Krupicka of Czech Republic won in 1h 17m 5s, with Ricky Gates of USA third in 1h 22m 27s.

OORDEGEN LEDE, BELGIUM - 1 August 2009
Belgium National Championships
James Dolphin won his heat of the 200m in 21.07s (+2.2) and was third in the final in 21.14s (-0.1). Andrea Miller was second in her heat of the 100m hurdles in 13.56s (-0.5) and DNS in final. Marissa Pritchard was fifth in the triple jump with 12.04m (+0.1).

MAYRHOFEN, AUSTRIA - 2 August 2009
Jonathan Wyatt bounced back to beat Robert Krupicka of the Czech Republic and win the 1st Mayrhofen Harakiri mountain race of 10.4km rising 1170m. Wyatt recorded 53m 37s, to beat Krupicka by over a minute. Ricky Gates of USA was third in 55m 42s.

LAHTI, FINLAND - 28 July to 8 August 2009
World Masters Championships
Dawn Cumming of Hawkes Bay won the W75 8km cross country in 48m 9s. In the same race Clarissa Van Der Veeken of Whangarei was third in 50m 47s. Cumming also won the W75 5000m race walk in 39m 59.77s.
Michael Parker of Auckland was fourth in the M55 5000m race walk in 24m 21.30s.
Marcia Petley of Hamilton was second in the W80 800m in 4m 37.68s.