Even her coach Kerry Hill was a little surprised that Deborah Paine (18) came away with the New Zealand junior women's road race title at the weekend.
"It's a key breakthrough for her," said Hill. "I thought it would be another year before she got a title, but it shows she's got terrific promise."
It's been an impressive rise to the top of the under-20 age group for the former Otumoetai College student who only took up running just over a year ago after injury led to a decision to quit playing rugby.
"Last year in [the under-18] race I came third. I won the secondary schools' [championship] last year, but this is my first [national title]."
The championships were held at the Tauriko Industrial Estate on Saturday. Paine stuck with Canterbury's Gabrielle Gray for a lap and a half of the 5km course, before making her move.