Taupo teen a national cross country champ

Sophie Webber, 10, is the under-11 girls's New Zealand Cross Country champion after winning the 2km event in Auckland. Photo/Supplied

Taupo has a new national champion - a 10-year-old who loves all things sport.

Last weekend Sophie Webber won the under-11 girls' 2km event at the 2017 New Zealand Cross Country Championships, held at the Auckland Domain.

Her entry came after Sophie cleaned up at the North Island Cross Country Championships, held at Taupo's Spa Park on July 1, where she set a new record over 1km.

The national championships in Auckland had the 25-strong under-11 girls' field racing a 2km distance, with Sophie holding out her closest competitor by nine seconds to take line honours and the national title.

The under-11 girls raced at the same time as the under-11 boys and Sophie also beat most of the boys' field, crossing the line 5th overall.

Sophie, who moved to Taupo from Australia with her family a year ago, has been running for a few years and joined Taupo Harriers earlier this year.

"I enjoy lots of sports," Sophie says. "I quite like running, soccer and tennis."

She also does hockey, swimming, skiing and triathlon.

Sophie entered the North Island championships at the encouragement of Taupo Harriers' Noel Bennett and after she won that it was the next step to have a go in Auckland, She says she was "kind of" surprised to win after setting her sights on a top three or top five placing.

"I wasn't in front at the start but at the first uphill I was in second and then I passed the girl in front."

Sophie was supported in Auckland by her parents and two younger brothers and her medal was presented by former Commonwealth and Olympic Games medallist and world record holder Dick Quax.

Noel Bennett says Sophie's achievement is especially significant because it is the first time a club member has won a New Zealand Cross Country title.

"We have had one road title, which was Penny Gawler in 1993. She won the Women's Under-20 Road so this win of Sophie's is pretty special."