Dobson, Tsuchiya win Rotorua Marathon

Sam Dobson.

Auckland's Sam Dobson has won the Rotorua Marathon, holding off three-time winner Phil Costley in a tight race.

The women's race was taken out by Japan's Naoko Tsuchiya.

Dobson crossed the line in a personal best time of 2.29.04 to huge cheers from the crowd lining Queens Dr.

Costley, a Nelson teacher, finished 27 seconds back. The Rotorua favourite also received a big cheer.

Auckland's Jonathan Jackson came in third.

Tsuchiya finished in 2.53.24, almost two minutes ahead of second placed Erin Furness (Hamilton). Katie Wyrill of Auckland was third.

Japan's Naoko Tsuchiya takes the women's race.

Earlier in the race, Tauranga's Jess Ruthe had been way out in front but pulled up and started walking during the second half of the race.

Marathon results:

Men
1st Sam Dobson Auckland 2:29:04
2nd Phil Costley Nelson 2:29:31
3rd Jonathan Jackson Auckland 2:30:26
4th Chris Sanson Palmerston North 2:31:32
5th Ben Ruthe Tauranga 2:35:02

Women
1st Naoko Tsuchiya Tokyo 2:53:24
2nd Erin Furness Hamilton 2:55:17
3rd Katie Wyrill Auckland 2:58:07
4th Gabrielle O'Rourke Wellington 3:01:32
5th Kovo Kowalewski Taupiri 3:04:16

Half marathon results:

Men
1st Tim Stewart Hamilton 1:08:28
2nd Michael Voss Rotorua 1:08:36
3rd Josh Maisey Auckland 1:08:42
4th Craig Kirkwood Tauranga 1:09:38
5th Sasha Daniels Auckland 1:13:08

Women
1st Lisa Robertson Manukau 1:15:34
2nd Alice Mason Auckland 1:16:18
3rd Serena Hammond Thames 1:22:27
4th Anna Williams Auckland 1:23:32
5th Fran Aiono Auckland 1:26:28

Quarter Marathon results

Men
1st Ben Mchale Rotorua 35:36
2nd Ben Wilks Katikati 38:33
3rd Max Woodhead Auckland 39:29
4th Andrew Mulqueen Auckland 41:57
5th Matthew Munnik Auckland 42:12

Women
1st Madison Ilisio Auckland 41:58
2nd Brooke Shepherd-Wright Hamilton 42:00
3rd Shanel Cornille Hamilton 43:54
4th Charlotte Young Auckland 44:16
5th Kate Rea Rotorua 44:26