Athletics: Biss looks to repeat victory

Rotorua runner Sarah Biss will look to go back to back at this year's Rotorua Offroad Half Marathon on Sunday.

The 35-year-old dominated last year's event winning the women's division by almost four minutes ahead of her nearest rival. If Biss manages the win it will be her third win in the event in five years.

With the region declared a drought zone, conditions for the event, being held at Whakarewarewa Forest, are expected to be perfect for Sunday.

The Met Service long range forecast is a high of 23C with light winds. The event is a two lap course utilising scenic trails and smooth gravel forest roads. Organisers are expecting up to 2000 competitors.

An addition to the annual event is the New Balance Quarter Marathon fun run and walk. This non-competitive event completes one lap of the course.

Last year the event added a 5km fun run and walk as well as a 1.5km event for children aged between 3 and 6 years and a 2.5km run for children aged between 7 and 10 years called the Little Devils.

Biss who runs for the Hamilton Hawks will have plenty of competition to keep her honest including Tauranga runner Judith May who finished fourth last year. The athlete is currently in Kenya altitude training and is expected to return home today.

The men's division will crown a new champion with last year's winner Angus Bell not registered to run, but it is understood a number of top athletes wait until the morning of the race to register.

However, there is a high quality field including local favourite Tony Broadhead.

Organisers said there were a number of Rotorua locals who were taking part in the race as preparation for the Rotorua Marathon.

Although Rotorua marathon runner, Steve O'Callaghan will not take part in Sunday's race after winning the New Plymouth Marathon last weekend in a time of 2hr 29m 53s from fellow Lake City runner Chris Corney who recorded 2h 47m 19s for second place.

Another group of Lake City athletes who also did well in the mixed section marathon relay at the same event were Sue Cowley and Duncan Smith who were first in a time of 2h 40m 41s and Oliva Goh and Mere Attwater who were 14th overall with a combined time of 4h 02m 41s.

The event gets underway on Sunday morning on Waipa State Mill Road at 9am with the 1.5km little devils run followed 10 minutes later by the 2.5km little devils run. The 5km fun run starts at 9.45am with the half marathon starting at 10am.