Local runner in top three at nationals

RUNNER: Colin Earwaker placed third in his age group at the national cross-county champs. PHOTO/BEN FRASER

After leading until the last lap, Rotorua's Colin Earwaker has finished third at the New Zealand cross-country championships.

The events was held yesterday in the Auckland Domain, with Earwaker competing in the 60 to 64 age group for the first time.

The Lake City Athletic Club runner finished the 8000m race in a time of 32.28 minutes, 28 seconds behind the winner and 15 seconds behind second place.

"I was out in front the whole way, but a couple of competitors got in front of me on the last lap. My calf played up, I've been icing it all day, hopefully it comes right.

"It was a pretty close race all the way through."

Earwaker said there was a very cold wind throughout the race.

"But it was a flat course with no hurdles or anything. It was quite wet under foot and the mud was really sticky."

He said he was a bit disappointed his calf played up and he didn't do as well as he hoped but he was looking forward to some time off to recover.

"I've got a couple weeks off work and I won't do anything for the next couple of days. All of us get a little niggly from time to time."

Three other Lake City Athletic Club members also contested the championships.

Jason Cameron ran the 8000m 40 to 44 age group and came fifth with a time of 29.27 minutes.

Bruce Edwards ran the 8000m 50 to 54 coming seventh with a time of 31.50 minutes.

And Hannah Gapes ran in the girls under 15, 3000m coming in fourth with a time of 11.50 minutes.