Running: Timaru man wins Auckland marathon

Timaru runner Sam Wreford picked up a $5000 reward for winning Lydiard Legends marathon in Auckland over the weekend.

Wreford's time for the gruelling race, contested over the Waitakere Ranges on Saturday, was two hours 23 minutes 11 seconds.

He matched strides with last year's winner Scott Winton over the first 8km but when Winton struck stomach problems, Wreford took control.

Winton was second in 2hr 36min 55sec.

Auckland marathon women's champion Ady Ngawati of Whangarei added to her CV with victory in 3hr 4min 51sec.