Athletics: Gibbs in blistering form

Tauranga's Sally Gibbs was the outstanding winner in claiming her first New Zealand Masters cross country title at Hamilton's Minogue Park on the weekend. She completely dominated the opposition to win the 35-plus Masters Women's race in an imposing 21m 54s with Gabrielle O'Rourke second in 22m 41s.

Waikato Bay of Plenty collected the Masters Men's (50-80) and Master Women's team titles.

Gibbs, 50, won three gold medals for overall race winner, Masters Women 50 winner and team gold as she led her Waikato Bay of Plenty team to victory over Wellington and Auckland. She blitzed the masters women's race.

"It certainly was easier going this year than last year being ankle-deep in mud. I'll now do the road champs and then to Brazil for the World Masters Games in October - that's the big goal at the moment."

Other Tauranga runners did well at the nationals. Robert McPherson won the Masters 70 gold, Gavin Smith silver in the Masters 60, Judith May bronze in the Masters Women and Corban Crowther, 10, did really well to claim the bronze in the Boys 12 age group race.

May won a team gold with Gibbs in the Masters Women. Russell Lake came in 12th overall in the Masters Men and fourth in the Masters 40 run, plus he was rewarded with a team bronze with his Waikato Bay of Plenty team.

Mark Crowther was eighth in the men 50 and won gold with the Waikato Bay of Plenty team.

Other Tauranga Masters placings were Dean Willacy 36th (8th M35), Stephen Blair 31st (8th M40), John Caie 26th (10th M45), Barry Watson 65th (9th M55) Stu Smith 69th (9th M55), Murray Clarkson 72nd (5th M65).

In the Seniors division, Kyle MacDonald was 14th, Ian MacDonald 26th and Angus Bell 28th. In the Girls 14 division, Erin Conway came 8th, Arleah Tippins 14th and Olivia Hines 18th. In other results, Malcolm Hicks proved too strong on the final hill to win his first New Zealand cross country title. Nicki McFadzien gave no one else a chance in the senior women bolting to the front after the first 500m and carrying on to win in 28m 5s for the 8000m. Annika Pfitzinger put in a fine last lap to outgun Holly Van Dalen for the silver.

Matt Baxter of Auckland retained his junior men's crown with 25m 50s for the 8km. The junior women's championship was won by Barry Magee-coached Margot Gibson of Canterbury in 22m 38s for the 6km.

Auckland dominated the team races, winning the senior and junior men team's titles and the senior, junior and youth women's team championships. Canterbury won the youth men, Wellington the masters men 35-49.