Dale Warrander will start favourite over the full distance. After some top runs of late at the Aussy XC Champs, and National Road Relay, not to mention a cruise at the Legend Marathon, Knuckle will be looking for a payday, instead of a qualifying time, which he did a couple of years ago when he sneaked under the 2.18 barrier to qualify for Worlds.
The race for 2nd will be led by Sam Wreford, who in his own right, has been impressive of late, posting some very good results over the Marathon distance not to mention breaking Shark's record over the Timaru relay course..
Gavin Stevens should be battling it out for 3rd in a group that will contain Sjors Corporaal, Ben Ruthe and an out of sorts Scott Winton. Expect at least one of this group to have a DNS to their name come race day.
In the Womens, Shireen Crumpton will start favourite... like Warrander, Crumpton is also chasing the $$ late in the twilight of her career, with both slated to run this weekend at the Barry Curtis...
Crumpton will have to contend with previous Champ Ady Ngawati who returns and will likely podium around the 2:53 mark. A rematch from Legend. Ironman Athlete Fiona Eagles should take third around the 3 hour mark.
Matt Smith will win the Half in a canter... rumour has it, that his refusal to fly, will see him do a "Bergkamp" and take the ferry from the Mainland. Unlike some others who chase the racing... Smithy prefers to peak perform, and this will be his first serious race since nailing the field at the Christchurch Full...
The minor places will be a good battle between the evergreen Phil Costley, Rowan Hooper, Stephen Lett and the Shark (orignally entered for the Full)... A place bet on Lett wouldn't go a miss...
The Womens will pit Comms Games Double Silver Medallist Nikki Hamblin up against teammate and up and comer Danielle Trevis. Fiona Crombie, stepping up from the Fun Run (1/4 Marathon) won't want to be shown up by girls 10 years her junior, and will make things tough, making these girls run at least a 1:17 to beat her.. If Nikki H decides to lear it up, and who can blame her after putting Athletics on the map, look for Suzi Richards from Wellington to podium..A revitalised Sarah Biss, who has sustained a period of injury free running, and turned in a 2:44 marathon just last week in Melbourne will be right there too.. but will 5 weeks recovery be enough?
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