Athletics: Ashkettle's fall opens door for Kiwis

Eventual champion Callan Moody, left, follow third-placed Aaron Pulford, centre, and second-placed Daniel Balchin. PHOTO/ANDREW WARNER

Highly rated Australian runner Ben Ashkettle was sent crashing out on the first bend in an explosive start to the men's senior race at the 2014 Athletics New Zealand Road Championships held at the Tauriko Business Estate on Saturday.

Ashkettle was one of the favourites for the title in the 10km race but in trying to gain the inside running at the first corner, he accidentally tripped and fell heavily. He suffered a bad graze and hit his head, putting him out of the race.

With Ashkettle gone, it was left to three of New Zealand's best long-distance runners to settle into the fight for medals. The Canterbury pair of national cross-country champion Callan Moody and Canterbury road champion Daniel Balchin led the way, with national 10,000m track champion Aaron Pulford, from Waikato Bay of Plenty, in hot pursuit.

It took until the fifth lap of the 2km course before Moody was able to use his track speed to kick away to win in 30:06:00, with Balchin second in 30:15.00, and Pulford claiming the bronze medal in 30:30.00.

Moody says it has been a dream season for him.

"I don't normally fancy myself at long sort of stuff but I seem to be building up an aerobic base now and I am doing all right. I am racing in the Oceania cross-country champs at the end of October in Guam so that should be exciting. But the main focus throughout the winter has been for the track where I hope to run a sub-four minute mile." Moody says he loved running on the course, as it is so smooth underfoot.

"Yeah it was brilliant and it is nice having those big, long straights and plenty of space to move round," he said.

Waikato Bay of Plenty runner Camille Buscomb easily defended her title in the women's senior race in a time of 34:14.00, which she was not happy with, wanting to set a personal best.

www.athletics.org.nz