Sports News

Warrender chalks up third national title

• Howick and Pakuranga Times

PAKURANGA Athletic Club runner Dale Warrander, representing Auckland, blitzed the field to win his third national senior men’s road title recently.

In the race around the Ruakura, Hamilton complex, Warrander led out early with Luke Hurring of Otago and Auckland’s Nick Pannett in tow.

By the third lap Warrander had established a lead over Sam Wreford of Canterbury and Pannett with Hurring dropping off the pace.

Warrander settled into good tempo and went on to win by nearly a minute over Wreford in 30m 10s. Craig Kirkwood of Waikato Bay of Plenty finished strongly to claim third in 31m 19s. He’s aiming for the Ironman triathlon in Taupo next March.

Warrander, who turned 35 last week, celebrated the national title with the birth of his son 12 days ago. His victories span 14 years, with his first title in 1994 and his second in 2003.

“I decided to get an early lead and then maintain a good tempo,” says Warrander. “The course was good for the spectators, but it had a lot of sharp turns and there was a bit of a breeze around the back.”

The Athens Olympic Games marathon representative knew he was in reasonable shape going into the event.

“I won the Taranaki road championship in 29m 52s, which indicated I was fit and it led in well to this race.”

Warrander now looks forward to representing Pakuranga at the New Zealand road relay championships early next month, followed by a crack at his own record in the Sir Barry Curtis 10km road race and a start in the Auckland half marathon across the harbour bridge.