The next generation of Wanganui Collegiate runner took his place at the front of the pack as Year 9 student George Lambert won the feature 10km race of the 40th annual Property Brokers Round the Bridges fun run on Sunday.
Representing Grey House, Lambert impressed as a first year Collegiate student, having previously been a winner at the region's inter-school cross country for Year 8 while he was still at Hunterville School last year.
"He beat the field, and there was some senior boys in there as well, so he is a very good runner," said Collegiate director of sport Barry Touzel.
Lambert takes over the mantle of former Collegiate runners and 10km winners Christian Conder (2015-16) and Geordie Beamish (2013-14).
Conder did enter the race but was caught out when organisers sent the 10km field away a little early to try and get ahead of some potentially bad weather, with Conder having arrived at the scheduled start time.
Collegiate's Liam Back won the 5km race in a quick time.
Wanganui Harrier Club member Pete Monrad won the 10km walk, ahead of a St George's pupil and fellow club member Kate Quigley.
This year's racing was attended by around 800 competitors across the five walking and running disciplines.
They raised $2000 for Plunket Wanganui.