24 in morning half marathon

Saturday’s early morning half marathon drew a field of 24 runners to tackle the 21km course from the Manea Foods complex in Nikao.

Roland Neururer was the man to catch in the men’s race and although Scott Howley chased valiantly – he was unable to outrun Neururer.

Neururer was first across the line in 1:29:24 followed by Howley who finished two minutes behind the winner.

Brian Toncray placed third while Rhys Woodger came fourth.

Tereora College PE teacher Vanessa Palmer had a strong race and finished in 1:42:00 – four minutes ahead of second place getter and former national triathlete Serena Hunter (1:46:51).

Friends Rebecca Washbourn and Charlotte Cousin ran in tandem with Washbourn maintaining the lead throughout the two-loop circuit to place third in 2:09:48 – a minute ahead of Cousin (2:10:59).

Veteran athlete Geoff Stoddard opted to race a 10km course and easily won the division finishing his race in 46:53 – four minutes ahead of second place getter and visitor to the island Dough Black.

A second half marathon is being planned for this coming weekend and will be raced from the Tikioki tri site.

Full results: Men (half marathon) – Roland Neururer 1:29:24, Scott Howley 1:31:44, Brian Toncray 1:32:47, Rhys Woodger 1:36:17, Mark Worthington 1:52:43, Brendan Sutherland 1:56:45, Dominic Tobeck 2:05:28, Dean Head 2:08:58, Jacob Pynenburg 2:18:18, Edmund Tupuna 2:23:38, Women (Half Marathon) – Vanessa Palmer 1:42:00, Serena Hunter 1:46:51, Rebecca Washbourn 2:09:48, Charlotte Cousins 2:10:59, Annie Sutherland 2:13:29, Pare Tangata 2:14:31, Shelley Mcdowall 2:21:48, Karlene Pynenburg 2:25:17, Peta Ngari 2:26:15, Apii Napa 2:28:23, Men (10km) – Geoff Stoddart 46:53, Doug Black 50:16, Tim Rumball 57:01, Women (10km) – Mona Henderson 1:20.