After all the nervous eyes glancing at the clouds yesterday, the annual Property Brokers Round the Bridges fun run and walk went off without a hitch for the 38th year in overcast but dry conditions.
Around 1000 people entered among the five walking and running grades, which was well downon the 1700 from the year before, but nonetheless the traditionally strong turnout from the houses of Wanganui Collegiate made up the base of entries.
Most importantly, over $2500 was raised for this year's charity - family support group Jigsaw Whanganui.
With Collegiate expected to dominate the headline 10km run, victory is usually up for consideration among three well-known names - Beamish, Gemmell and Conder. The first two were not there, so it fell to Christian Conder to blitz through the course in 31 minutes, nearly catching up with the first 5km runners to make it home.
Image 1 of 38: 5 year old Lucy Morgan with dad Kirk at her side in the 1km kids Course. 2015 Round the Bridges Fun Run: Sunday, May 17, 2015 Wanganui Chronicle photograph by Bevan Conley.
"It was pretty good, I'm happy with that [time]," Conder said, who shortly after finishing was off on a personal 10km run to complete his regular Sunday training. "It's always good for the building up of our cross country."
Wanganui's Josh Payne was the runner-up among the school kids. "Always chasing Christian. They're always a bit fast."
Wanganui High School's Rebecca Baker got one back for the team in green as the 13-year-old held off the Collegiate runners in the 5km run.
"I saw them coming but I just kept doing what I was doing. We always do it, me and my family."
Damien Wood went one spot better than 2014 to win the 10km walk in 52 minutes, adding another prize to the growing number of masters and harriers walker events where he has reached the podium.
"Always that thing, I can run it and finish in the back of the pack, or walk and do well," he said.
