Athletic and Cycling Masterton members Ben Winder and Tony Price had good reason to feel pleased with themselves after last weekend's medal-winning efforts at national cross-country championships in Hamilton.
Winder came close to the national men's 35yrs title, finishing a mere five seconds behind fellow Wellington teammate DanNixon, a repeat of their North Island championship placings. Winder finished the 8km course in 27min 2s and was justifiably delighted to have "overachieved his aim of a top-five placing".
Winder's second place also made him a member of the Wellington veteran men's team that placed first with 20 points in the team contest, ahead of Auckland (25), and Waikato/BOP (59).
Tony Price came into the men's 55yrs grade race with fellow Wellington team member Vaughan New as his main rival.
Unfortunately Price arrived still "shaking off the remnants of the flu", and found the "short hill sections tough". However, he battled gamely to place third, behind New and Robby Grant from Taranaki.
