Feilding runner for the win at last

For the first time in 17 years, a Feilding runner won the Feilding Marathon.

Nick Johnston finished in 2 hours 32 minutes and 14 seconds, more than 35 minutes ahead of second-placed Nicholas Bagnall (Wellington), 3.10.18, and thirdplaced Tim Carpenter (Palmerston North), 3.17.19, on Saturday.

The 64th Feilding Marathon started and finished at Timona Park, with the turnaround at Stanway Hall on Makino Rd. More than 240 runners and walkers took part in events ranging from 5 kilometres to the marathon.

Johnston recorded the fastest Feilding Marathon time in 41 years, although he was still seven minutes adrift of the 1967 race record of 2.25.20 by John Comber.

The course climbs 140 metres to the turnaround and Johnston was pleased to record a faster time over the second half. ‘‘This is the first marathon where I have had a negative split.’’

Johnston won the Sir Matthew Oram cup for fastest time and the President’s Cup for the first local runner.

He combined with Feilding Moa clubmates Mark Hudson and Patricia Stichbury to retain the Trevor Ludeman Cup for club teams.

The women’s winner of the Kohiti Trophy was Anita Chan, of Palmerston North, who ran 3.44.55. She was followed in by seven-time Feilding Marathon winner Ingrid Frost (Auckland), 4:03:51, and Michelle Parker (Matamata) in 4.09.53.

Joff Hulbert (Napier) made two wins in succession in the marathon walk, winning the Ken Walton Cup with a time of 4.54.44. David Jones (Palmerston North) was second, 5.26.02, and Dennis Jordan (New Plymouth) third in 6.07.36.

Twenty-five years after winning the 1993 marathon – which he ran in 2.32.35 – David Chard (Woodville) won the M55 division of the Roy Lamberton Memorial Half Marathon in 1.48.50.

The half marathon was won overall by Vern Preston (Hastings) in 1.25.01, who just shaded Steffan Wong (Ka¯ piti) in 1:25:25. Wong led the race most of the way, but Preston had the stronger finish.

The 10km race was won by Chris Lines (Whanganui) in 36.34. Jimmy Ellingham was first home in the 5km in 18.02.