Success for former Olympian, partner and mother

Robbie Johnston,  Stacey Pearson and her mother, Kay, near the finish of the Dunedin Marathon...
Robbie Johnston, Stacey Pearson and her mother, Kay, near the finish of the Dunedin Marathon yesterday. Photo by Wayne Parsons.
It was a family affair on the half-marathon course yesterday for two-time Olympic Games representative Robbie Johnston.

Johnston, who has a best time for a half-marathon of 1hr 3min 43sec, completed the 21.1km Dunedin course in 1hr 16min 27sec, to finish third.

Johnston attended Otago Boys' High School and competed for the Hill City club, rising to national prominence before moving to Auckland, where Olympic and Commonwealth Games selection followed.

He represented New Zealand in the 5000m at the Barcelona Olympics, and in the 10,000m at the Atlanta Olympic Games. He also ran the 10,000m at the 1994 Commonwealth Games in Vancouver, and finished fourth in the 5000m as an Oceania representative at the 1994 world cup meeting.

Johnston returned to Dunedin with partner Stacey Pearson in June to manage the Shoe Clinic.

Pearson was also a runner of note on the Otago scene in the 1980s, while a representative of Leith club.

In 1988, she won the open women's titles at the Otago cross-country and Otago road championships, and track titles in 1500m, 3000m and 5000m.

Pearson, who won the open women's title at the Christchurch marathon in 2004 in 2hr 52min, has a personal best half-marathon time of 1hr 18min 40sec. She finished fifth overall in yesterday's half-marathon in 1hr 32min 32sec.

Pearson's mother, Kay, completed the half-marathon walk in 3hr 11min 5sec.

Five-year-old Sophie Dunn enjoyed watching her hero - dressed for the occasion - complete the half-marathon.

Sophie, mother Wendy Tippett and grandmother Pat Dunn supported Steven Dunn, who made a splash in his super hero outfit.

''I had to make it myself. Wendy didn't want a bar of it,'' Dunn said, smiling.

Dunn had already competed in four half-marathons in the bright red and yellow costume.

''It gets a bit hot at times. But if it makes people happy and gives them something to smile about, my job as a super hero is done.''

Dunn (45), an East Otago High School old boy who is a graphic designer with the Christchurch City Council, explained his motivation.

''I suppose I love dressing up. But don't tell the wife.''

 

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