Thames Coast teen retains NZ title

CRAIG SIMCOX/Dominion Post

FLYING ALONG: Aaron Pulford leaps a hurdle on his way to winning his national cross country title at the weekend.

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Thames Coast teenager Aaron Pulford has retained his national cross country title in a slashing time on the strength of just a couple of training jogs.

Pulford, of Ngarimu Bay, took out the men's 19-year title at Waikanae on Saturday after returning from the World Junior Athletics Championships in Canada. And he helped his Hamilton Hawks' clubmate, Cory Whiting, to a bronze medal.

The 19-year-old said that he had done very little in the way of training since returning from Canada where he finished fifth in the 10,000 metres in a New Zealand record time.

"I didn't train much this week, I came off the 10km in Canada and just rested. I've only done two jogs this week – so I start back seriously training next week," he said.

Pulford clocked 25 minutes 40 seconds for the 8 kilometre race over a testing equestrian course that included hills and horse hurdles, managing a 3:12 per kilometre pace that would have won him the senior title over 12km.

Don Willoughby, coach of both Pulford and Whiting, said not many people had expected Pulford to run.

"I've trained hundreds of kids to win medals at all levels and here I am at 71 with one who is up there with the very best I've had," Willoughby said.

Pulford had strong competition from second-placed Aucklander Cameron Graves, whom Willoughby described as another outstanding young talent.

Graves set a fast early pace for the first 3km before Pulford got into his stride and made his move.

The latter had a 10 metre lead at the halfway point and did just enough to stay ahead over the second 4km to win by 13 seconds.

Willoughby said it had been particularly satisfying to see Whiting pick up his first national individual medal.

"He's a real trier and he put it all together on Saturday."

Pulford would now start rebuilding for the track season when he hopes to run in Australia and possibly at the World University Games.

The Hamilton Hawks club picked up four other bronze medals for a return of six medals from 11 runners competing at the championships.

Glenn Sexton ran a patient, heady race in the masters men's field, which was the largest of the day, for sixth overall and third in his grade, with Brian Smith fourth in his.

Arianna Lord grabbed bronze in the girls' 14-year race over 3km, Jacob Priddey managed the same in the boys' 14-year event, while Mikaylah Nielsen chose to run up a grade to test herself in the W19 race over 6km and finished third behind two girls who ran for New Zealand in the world championships in Poland in March.

- © Fairfax NZ News