Kirkwood won the 2007 Christchurch marathon

Craig Kirkwood won the Christchurch marathon in 2h 26m 17s, on Sunday.

He was through the half way in 70m 20s and went on to beat last year’s winner Jeremy Horne from Australia by a minute and ten seconds.

Kirkwood had intended running a qualifying time for the world athletic championships, but found out during the week leading up to the event that he was outside the qualifying period.

Sarah Chisnall of Dunedin won the women’s section in 2h 43m 19s.

The men’s half marathon produced a thrilling finish with just four seconds covering the first four placings. Ben Ruthe went into a sprint 300m from the finish to out kick Scott Winton in 65m 16s. Winton, also second to Ruthe in the recent Huntly 10km, recorded 65m 17s followed by Mark Bailey 65m 18s and Matt Ingram 65m 20s.

Last year’s winner in 63m 52s Dale Warrander, not wanting to aggravate a slight shin soreness, withdrew from the race between 9km and 10km.

Kate Smyth of Australia repeated her win of last year in the women’s half marathon running 73m 8s. Jessica Ruthe who had the misfortune to contract a bout of bronchitis during the week, was second for the third year in a row with a time of 74m 51s.

Richard Olsen of Christchurch won the associated 10km event in 30m 12s from Brett Tingay 31m 38s. Kirsty Morris of Dunedin won the women’s 10km in 36m 29s from Sydney’s Greta Truscott 37m 10s.

Catalina Malone won the half marathon walk in 2h 7m 33s from Eric Saxby 2h 10m 55s.

MARATHON

Men: Craig Kirkwood (Tauranga) 2h 26m 17s 1, Jeremy Horne (Australia) 2h 27m 27s 2, Martin Lukes (Chch) 2h 28m 43s 3, Gavin Stevens (Akld) 2h 32m 14s 4, Seaton Meredith (Akld) 2h 32m 37s 5, Ross McIntyre (Taupo) 2h 32m 53s 6.

Women: Sarah Chisnall (Dunedin) 2h 43m 19s 1, Fleur Bromley (Akld) 2h 58m 27s 2, Tracey Trass (Akld) 3h 0m 9s 3, Garbitas Webster (Akld) 3h 0m 31s 4, Tracy Crossley (Nth Cant) 3h 2m 55s 5, Sue Cuthbert (Dunedin) 3h 10m 20s 6.

HALF MARATHON

Men: Ben Ruthe (Tauranga) 65m 16s 1, Scott Winton (Akld) 65m 17s 2, Mark Bailey (Chch) 65m 18s 3, Matt Ingram (Chch) 65m 20s 4, Matt Smith (Chch) 65m 28s 5, Andrew Davidson (Chch) 68m 6s 6.

Women: Kate Smyth (Aust) 73m 8s 1, Jessica Ruthe (Tauranga) 74m 51s 2, Tracey Clissold (Akld) 78m 27s 4, Lara Phillips (Akld) 79m 21s 5, Penny Peskett (Akld) 81m 1s 6, Julia Scoones (Chch) 82m 56s 6.

source Athletics New Zealand