Another second placing for Sanson

Manawatu runner Chris Sanson has had his fair share of second places this year.

Sanson finished second at the Wellington half marathon at the weekend, making it his fourth second place this year.

He was the runnerup at the Hawke’s Bay marathon, the Great Forest Events marathon at Waitarere and the national marathon championships at the Rotorua marathon.

‘‘It’s consistent, but I can’t really complain,’’ he said. ‘‘It could be worse.’’

He has previously finished third in the Wellington half marathon and third in the Wellington marathon before, so he was determined to do better in the capital this year.

Sanson finished the Wellington run from Westpac Stadium around the bays to Miramar and back in 1 hour 12 minutes 8 seconds, which is three minutes off his personal best.

Michael Voss won the race in 1hr 10min 14 sec, with Brian Garmonsway third in 1hr 12min 46sec.

Sanson took a break after the Hawke’s Bay marathon and began properly training again three weeks ago, so he didn’t push himself to breaking point at Wellington.

Voss took off and Sanson was tempted to follow him, but decided against it.

The course was flat all the way, but there was big headwind on the way back, which made the finish tough.

Sanson will run the Taupo half marathon in August and the national road race championships in Masterton in September and he wants to be in form by November.