24 Ashburton Guardian
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Monday, January 6, 2014
Sport
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Southbridge’s Kerry Faass was the first person across the line in the 10km run at the National Frontrunner Series at Lake Hood on Saturday with a time of 34mins 39secs. PHOTO DONNA WYLIE 040114-DW-100
Faass dominates at Lake Hood BY MYLES HUME
MYLES.H@THEGUARDIAN.CO.NZ
With a brisk 10km time and another Buller half marathon crown in his sights, Southbridge’s Kerry Faass put on a running masterclass at Lake Hood on Saturday. Crossing the line in 34 minutes and 39 seconds, Faass put on a dominant display with his closest opponent minutes behind during the second race of the National Frontrunner Series,
run at Ashburton’s Lake Hood. The New Brighton Olympic Club runner was one of about 40 other competitors who turned out to compete in either the 6km or 10km running disciplines along the shores of the man-made lake. Faass said this was the first time he had entered the series and decided it would be a perfect opportunity to “have a blowout” before he had another tilt at the Buller half marathon on February 8.
“I thought it would be a great opportunity to get out there and get into the groove before Buller. “I’ve competed down there and won it a few years ago and had a couple of placings but I don’t know if I’m in that same form at the moment,” Faass said. “I thought it was a great race on Saturday and I’m happy with how it went. “I managed to create a bit of a gap from second place so that was pleasing, but the Ashburton
man who won it last time, Joe Ford, he wasn’t there.” Second in the men’s 10km was John Marshall (39mins 21secs) and in third was Brian Goodes (40mins 21secs). In the women’s section Fiona Gilroy won with a time of 40mins 5secs, closely followed by Natasha Mitchell and Sarah Eady. Simon Mealings claimed fastest time in the 6km 27mins 8 secs, with Helene Hewetson the first female across the line.
Frontrunner Ashburton’s Donna Mealings said runners from Ashburton and surrounding district’s descended on the inaugural event, making for an exciting atmosphere at the running event. The Lake Hood event is one of seven that fall under the nationwide Frontrunner Series umbrella, with Saturday’s race the second in the three part series with the final stage to be held on February 1, set to feature a half marathon race.
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