Lambert goes back-to-back Round the Bridges

Collegiate's George Lambert leads off the 10km race of the 41st Round the Bridges fun run yesterday.

Wanganui Collegiate's George Lambert was able to emulate his school's old boys Christian Conder and Geordie Beamish by winning back-to-back 10km races at 41st annual Property Brokers Round the Bridges fun run yesterday.

The turnout for the annual fundraiser, of which this year's proceeds will go to Alzheimers Whanganui, was noticeably down on the around 800 runners and walkers who attended last year, despite the usual strong Collegiate contingent and better weather conditions.

Organisers changed the 10km route from Kowhai Park this year, due to the roadworks on Anzac Parade, as the course now headed over the Dublin Street Bridge and down the river walkway to Cobham Bridge and returning the same way.

Preparing for the upcoming North Island cross country championships, Lambert got a little put out by the different path.

"It's a big annoying, I turned the wrong way a couple of times," he said.

"I just wanted to win because I won it last year as well.

"When I turned the wrong way, [the runnerup] passed me."

Lambert got the lead back and completed the run in just over 30 minutes.

Schoolmate Zach Bellamy, entering the fun run for the first time, took out the 5km race, which starts on the same route as the 10km race but turns around at the Waimarie berth on Taupo Quay.

"Me and George wanted to win both races. It's good," Bellamy said.

He had been coming third until the final bridge crossing, and had to put on the gas to win it from there.

Bellamy will now consider doing the 10km race next year to see if he can challenge Lambert.

Veteran walker Pete Monrad took out the 10km walk in a repeat of 2017.