Marathon: US runner takes Ultra title

American runner Sage Canaday has been crowned this year's Vibram Tarawera Ultra Marathon champion.

The 27-year-old athlete won the popular event in his first attempt in a time of 8h 53m 34s - more than three minutes ahead of Timothy Olson, Vajin Armstrong and Brendan Davies.

Canaday, a double Olympic qualifier, who was the youngest participant at the 2007 Olympic marathon trials at the age of 21 was too strong for a field which included last year's winner Frenchman Francois d'Haene.

The first woman home was Kiwi Ruby Muir, who finished in a time of 10h 30m 11s and was seventh overall.

The next woman home was Beth Cardelli 11h 43m 56s, followed by Kelly Harrington 14h 23m 56s, Raewynne Blommerde 14h 35m 55s and Kate Townsley 15h 54m 13s rounding out the top five women.

Despite the event being rerouted because of the drought conditions 96 competitors completed the 100km course with 25 withdrawing from the event.

In the 60km event, Michael Hale was the first man home in a time of 5 hours 56m 27s followed by two women runners Stephanie Gaskell and Deb Nicholl taking second and third respectively.

The 85km solo run was won by Russell Lake 8h 57m 48s with Cameron Mumby second 9h 19m 38s and Shona Stephenson third overall and first woman home in the division.

In the team's 85km event, the race was won by Team Vibram 5h 42m 8s with Team Hamilton Flyers 5h 52m 46s second a Team Hamilton Hobblers third in a time of 6h 47m 7s.

More than 430 runners from 21 countries lined up for the event, now in its fifth year. The race started at the Redwoods and finished on the beach at Lake Okareka.