Community conquer conditions

TOO QUICK: Christian Conder won his second Round the Bridges 10km race in a row yesterday. PHOTO/STUART MUNRO

IT WAS back-to-back 10km victories in the Property Brokers 39th annual Round the Bridges Fun Run/Walk for the somewhat tired and damp legs of Collegiate's star runner, Christian Conder, at a rain-soaked Kowhai Park yesterday morning.

Organisers from the Wanganui Chronicle estimated that despite the rough weather, between 800 and 1000 people still entered on the day, raising over $2000 for Birthright Wanganui.

The five-event walk and fun run is headlined by the criss-cross dash over the Town and Cobham Bridges, before running back along the town waterfront to the Dublin St Bridge and returning to Kowhai Park.

There is also the long course walk event, as well as the 5km walkers and runners going over the Town and Dublin bridges, plus the 1km Sport Whanganui Kids Course inside of Kowhai Park.

Conder had entered the Wanganui Harrier Club's Johnston Memorial open handicap race the day before in very wet conditions, winning from scratch at the very back of pack on private property opposite the Windermere Gardens.

Yesterday, with the rain coming and going throughout the morning, he took a running start at beginning of the marathon and had a 100m lead before the competitors event left the Kowhai.

Despite the weather and tired legs from the day before, Conder finished only around a minute outside of his winning time from 2015, finishing in 32 minutes.

"It was nice [conditions] to start but it got a bit cold at the end," he said.

"My legs are a little bit sore after that."

The double success was a nice tonic since returning from last month's ISF World Schools Cross Country in Hungary in April, where a strained muscle on the long flight to Europe meant Conder was not able to run at his best for the New Zealand team.

"But it was a good experience and lots of fun."

Conder has taken over the mantle of former Collegiate star Geordie Beamish, who won Round the Bridges in 2013-14.

One of his big inspirations is mother Paula Conder, who ran the 10km yesterday as she continues preparations for the Auckland Marathon in October - 12 months after the date of her diagnosis of breast cancer.

Mrs Conder had to also make a running start, although that was by accident rather than design.

"I started late - I was on the corner of the bridge back there," she said.

Naturally, Mum was proud of her oldest son's efforts.

"Once he moves on, our next boy might be coming along," she said, referring to fellow runner Thomas Conder.

First woman home for the 10km walkers, and likely the true overall winner for having done the fun race properly, Kate Quigley had also competed for the Harriers in "very wet and muddy" conditions the day before.

"It was great [today], really enjoyed it. Today the conditions were great although we had a bit of rain."

After the festivities, random prizes from the sponsors were given out to the entrants, as well as awards for some of the top schools.

Naturally, as they take part as part of their weekend sports curriculum, Collegiate were judged best school for attendance numbers.

St George's School were the best dressed, while the Gonville and Fordell schools each received five rugby balls.