Whangarei Boys' High School student Chris Mills put in a top effort to finish eighth overall at the NZ Half-Marathon Championships in Kerikeri.
Mills, 18, ran the distance in 1:14.13 to be just 10 minutes off the leaders.
He had a battle with Louis Young to the finish with Young edging him home by three seconds.
Harry Linford was the best-placed Northlander in fourth.
Mills said he was happy with the time given the conditions.