Hogarth on target at road champs

PATRICK HAMILTON/Nelson Mail

SETTING THE PACE: Kim Hogarth in action in the combined road racing championships of the Waimea Harrier Club and Athletics Nelson on Saturday.

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Kim Hogarth had things all his own way in the combined road racing championships of the Waimea Harrier Club and Athletics Nelson on Saturday.

Racing over an out-and-back 10-kilometre circuit from the west end of Parkers Rd, to the far side of the airport via the perimeter road, Hogarth set out for what he described as "a tempo training run" at 32-minute pace.

With September's national road champs in Dunedin as his goal, Hogarth's pace judgment was spot on, crossing the finish line in 31min 58sec. Simon Mardon admitted he would like to have kept contact a little longer, as he crossed the line a minute and a half later.

Veteran Cliff Bowman also made it seem like a walk in the park, coming in a minute behind Mardon. Bowman is just five weeks out from the world mountain-running championships in Zagreb, Croatia, and at the age of 47 is in the form of his life, running with the speed and vigour of a man half his age.

If the first three to finish had training goals, the real races were happening further down in the age groups. Not many runners over 50 can match Tim Cross. With a finishing time of 37min 06sec, Cross dominated his age group ahead of Derek Shaw, Elton Merrin, Bill Revell and Paul Thornton, all of them finishing in under 40 minutes.

With national relays coming up in September, these times serve notice that another medal-winning performance from the Tasman 50-and-over brigade is within reach.

Taryn Beattie had no problems with the women's field, clearing out for a win of more than three minutes ahead of triathlete Bernie Whitaker, who waged her own battle with Carol Cooper, winning that war by 14 seconds.

Whitaker was one of five triathletes targeting the Brisbane world championships in five weeks using the race to gauge their fitness and sharpen up.

Jon Linyard was the quickest, finishing fifth overall, but Chris Whitaker showed the benefits of training under coach Linyard over the winter with his fastest 10km ever, a couple of seconds under 40 minutes. Murray Tewnion in the 50-59 age group was also sharp.

In other races, Fran Kerse had to work hard in the women's 5km event, finishing just ahead of Maryanne Omlo.

Gary Holz finished strongly in the 5km walk to catch and pass Peter Hague over the final kilometre. Roz D'Agnilli was a clear winner over Heather McNabb in the women's race.

- © Fairfax NZ News