Steve Britland was first home over the 7.4km course when the Ruamahanga Ramblers held a cross-country event at Paul Furkert's Woodlands Road property on Saturday.
Invariably backmarker Damian Christofis has been able to overcome that imposition to take both handicap and line honours but the handicapper managed to get thebetter of him on this occasion. However, he did comfortably take fastest time again, having more than a minute to spare from his closest rival.
Britland's effort was a testimony to his fitness levels as he warmed up by doing one lap of the two-lap course and still managed to perform with distinction.
It was a different story for Michael Scott, who managed to get lost and had to make a big detour about midway through the race.
Results in order of handicap time and actual time:
Children (3.7km): Andrew Hyman 24.33, 15.22; Michael Hyman 24.35, 14.24; Jack Britland 24.39, 15.38; Hannah Lang 29.55, 29.55; Clifford Rowe-Penny 32.48, 32.48; Fergus Pitney 32.48, 27.40; Marshall Pitney 35.28, 26.08; Matthew Furkert 37.41, 21.30; Amelia Rowe-Penny 38.00, 38.00; Anthony Rowe-Penny 38.47, 31.05.
Runners (7.4km): Steve Britland 50.16, 42.00; Malcolm McDonald 50.24, 36.18; Steve Pitney 50.38, 50.38; Craig Bird 50.58, 43.42; Michael Rowe-Penny 51.09, 36.21; Damian Christofis 52.03, 35.13; Wayne Hyman 52.18, 45.54; Paul Furkert 53.15, 38.55; Roger Jones 53.48, 39.42; Michael Scott 53.59, 39.53; Martin Parker 54.05, 49.07; Greg Lang 55.35, 43.46; Claudia Baechie 59.46, 57.46.
Walkers (3.7km): Lucy Britland 54.53, 42.21; Lisa Gray 54.53, 42.21.
