Christie claims first Round the Bays title

Evergreen runner Sarah Christie clinched her first Wellington Round the Bays half-marathon title kicking clear in a dramatic sprint finish.

Christie posted 1hr 23min 57sec yesterday with Nadene Hawley just 3sec back. Erin Whitla was third in 1hr 26min 03sec.

The arrival of Christie's fourth child, daughter Bridie born six months ago, provided the inspiration she needed in the finishing straight, she said.

"I haven't raced for some time, so I was just pleased to get my racing shoes on and get out there," she said.

"It was quite a bunfight at the end there."

Hawley had the early running as she built a lead on the leg out to the Shelly Bay turnaround. Christie caught her rival heading back into the city, but was concerned she had given Hawley too much space.

In the buildup, Christie had been training with her sister Kate Horan, a New Zealand Paralympic Games representative.

While Horan is focused on overseas races in the buildup to the London 2012 Paralympic Games, Christie has set her sights closer to home. In October she will attempt to win her sixth Auckland half-marathon title.

The men's half marathon became an unofficial Scottish Harriers club championship with the first five runners wearing the familiar yellow club singlet.

Grant McLean defended his title to win in 1hr 12min 05sec, in a promising warmup for the New Plymouth marathon in a fortnight.

Todd Stevens was closing on McLean, 30sec behind, with Dave Parsons third.

McLean, 42, will aim to crack 2hr 30min for the marathon again, this time in the masters category in New Plymouth. He was satisfied with his form.

"I went pretty hard out in the first five kilometres to get a good break on the guys," McLean said.

"At seven kilometres to go I had a minute buffer, and Todd Stevens was looking pretty good in second. I knew he was coming, so I had just enough to hold on."

Glenn Hughes won the men's 7km in 20min 45sec, with Tina Harris the women's 7km winner in 23min 05sec.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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