The number of entrants in Kelly's Canter yesterday at 103 was almost double the 53 who took part last year in the 4km run from the Palmerston Railway Station to the 393m summit of Puketapu and back This year's winner was Stafford Thompson, of Dunedin, in 21min 01sec. The first woman home was Sue Cuthbert, of Dunedin, in 27min 22sec.
A rearrangement of the course near the summit of Puketapu allowed competitors to run all the way, Palmerston Lions club Kelly's Canter organiser Eion Service, of Palmerston, said.
Last year's winner Richard Olsen had a time of 23min 12sec. Both men's and women's winners received a $300 voucher from Jim and Beth Moffat, of Good Keen Kiwi Books, of Palmerston. The second man home, Mike Wakelin, and the second woman home, Ella Harris, received prizes of $150 each from Warrens Garage at Palmerston. A large number of younger runners came from East Otago High School, Waikouaiti Primary School and Palmerston Primary School.
