Wanganui athlete Candice Hammond led the female field home in the 20th annual Mizuno Half Marathon in Taupo on Sunday.
Now based in Cambridge, Hammond had nearly a two-minute buffer over her nearest rival, Erin Furness, who rolled over the line in 1hr 23min 04sec, with Leah Stanley rounding out the podium in 1hr 27min 14sec.
A total of 2300 entrants took to the streets of Taupo on Sunday morning to celebrate the special birthday for the city and the 20th annual event.
The 28-year-old Hammond was third at New Zealand Ironman this year and enjoyed racing in Taupo without hurting the whole way.
"Taupo is a really special place to race, I love it here. It was great to be running on some of the same run course as Ironman, but without the extra pain required," Hammond said.
Event director Wayne Reardon said it was a fabulous day of celebration for the city.
"Twenty years is a really special milestone to reach, today has been a fabulous celebration, and it was a real bonus that the weather came to the party as well."
Adding to the occasion was the new DoC track opened on the 21.1km course, removing the farmland section and replacing it with a faster and firmer track nearer the lake's edge.
Blair McWhirter was the first man across the line to receive his 20th anniversary finisher's medal, completing the course in 1hr 12min 20sec. A podium finisher at Rotorua and Christchurch marathons, McWhirter described the course as beautiful.
"The conditions were perfect today and it's so amazing to be running next to the lake for so much of the race, just stunning." said the 30-year-old from Christchurch. Second was Bobby Dean in 1hr 17min 30sec, while Campbell Hill was third in 1hr 18min 03sec.
Continuing a trend for these types of events around the country, 65 per cent of the field were female. The youngest was 11 and the oldest 84.
An inspiring 50 per cent of the field were completing their first half marathon, many raising money for charity or achieving a lifetime bucket-list goal.
Planning is already well under way for next month's sister event, the Mizuno Kinloch Offroad Challenge, on September 7. On offer is a quarter marathon (10km), half marathon (21.1km) and full marathon (42.2km).
As in previous years, profits from both these events will be directed back to the community. Last year the Taupo Half Marathon Society raised more than $20,000 that went towards assisting young and talented athletes with chasing their sporting aspirations. More than $200,000 has been raised and distributed since 1994.
Results
Mizuno Half Marathon Run
Male
Blair McWhirter 1:12:20
Bobby Dean 1:17:30
Campbell Hill 1:18:03
Bart Bronsema 1:18:26
Chris Myland 1:18:50
Female
Candice Hammond 1:21:41
Erin Furness 1:23:04
Leah Stanley 1:27:14
Siobhan Griffiths 1:32:15
Anna Williams 1:32:52