Lucas Duross was a commanding winner of the annual interclub Hastings Steeplechase run at the Hawke's Bay Showgrounds on Saturday.
In the slow and soft underfoot conditions, the Napier Harriers Club member, who has bigger fish to fry in the coming weeks with the Dorne Cup in Wellington and the North Island Cross Country Champs in Taupo, was always clear of his opposition and kept up a strong pace to the line to finish the 6km race in 20m 52s.
The Palmerston North Athletics Club pair of Theo Purdy (21:58) and Liam Woolford (22:22) were second and third respectively.
Hastings Harriers' Phil McKay won the masters men's 6km race, which was run with the seniors, and finished a creditable sixth overall. McKay recorded a time of 23:57 and the Napier pair of Damien Christofis and Kieran Batt completed the podium for the grade.
The senior women's 4.5km race title went to former Hastings harrier Monica Burnard in 19:42. She now represents the Palmerston North Athletics Club while studying at Massey.