Competing in Athletic Whangarei's cross-country on Saturday, Mike Gowing showed he had retained his level of fitness developed in the triathlon season and is likely to make his mark in higher-profile races later in the harrier season.
The 1.9km circuit over challenging undulations, grass and boggy patches at Pohe Island provideda short, sharp workout for the club's runners, with competitors choosing to complete one, two, three or four laps.
"A testing course, challenging - and good for conditioning for later in the season," Ian Babe the club's president said.
Gowing took top honours for three laps completing the 5.7km in 20:18, well clear of Ryan Slater in 21:35.
Despite a knee injury, Rob Lieffering demonstrated determination, finishing four laps - the only runner to complete the 7.6km option, in 33:09.
Amanda Still (13) ran impressively to win honours for one lap in 7:55, almost a minute ahead of Rachyl Edge; while Shintaro Fushito-Hardy won the two-lap race by more than two minutes.
Babe was pleased with Saturday's run, especially in the light of other high-profile events being conducted during the weekend.
"A number of the club's competitors and supporters travelled to the Rotorua Marathon and a number of club athletes also competed in the Dargaville Sport Northland Fun Run on Sunday," he said.
Results:
1 Lap (1.9km): 1 Amanda Still 7:55, 2 Rachyl Edge 8:52, 3 Portia Olney Kemp 8:55, 4 Shotaro Fushida-Hardy 9:03, 5 Hide Hashimoto 9:11, 6 Kieran Ruffell 9.28, 7 Conner Mackereth 9:36, 8 Keeli Mackereth 10:45, 9 Kate Milina 10:45, 10 Eliott Ruffell 10:49, 11 Jack Milina 12:03, 12 Anika Thomason 12:07, 13 Oscar Ruffell 14:56, 14 Jan Ruffell 14.57, 15 Graham Hardy 14: 58, 16 Jan Olny Kemp 18:10, 17 Jill Ruffell 19:18.
2 Laps (3.8km): 1 Shintaro Fushida-Hardy 15:26, 2 Aaron Greenhalgh 17.35, 3 Christine Fraser 17:48, 4 Ashlee Greenhalgh 19:05, 5 Ngatsuko Fushida-Hardy 19.45.
3 Laps (5.7 km): 1 Mike Gowing 20:18, 2 Ryan Slater 21:36, 3 Fred Needam 22:38, 4 Jimmy Kettlewell 27:52, 5 Murray Ruffell 27:60, 6 Janice Powell 28:51, 7 Tony Langton 28.55, 8 Delwyn Smith 30:04, 9 Rob Griffin 30.08, 10 Morris Gray 35:36.
4 Laps (7.6km): 1 Rob Lieffering 33.09.
