Runners in the Edmond Cup at Wingatui last year. Photo by
Craig Baxter.
A close race is expected in the senior men's Edmond Cup
race at Wingatui today.
The Edmond Cup, one of the most highly regarded races in
Otago athletics, was first held in 1907 and has been won by
some of the greats of Otago athletics.
Callan Moody (22), a physical education student at the
University of Otago, won by two seconds last year from
clubmate and fellow university student Nathan Baxter in 36min
39sec.
Moody is one of the most talented distance runners in Otago
and has the potential to represent New Zealand at the
Commonwealth and Olympic Games. He finished third in the
Edmond Cup in 2008, won last year, has the finishing speed
and just has to be in contact with 800m left to win the event
again.
Baxter, the Otago cross-country champion, is the workhorse
who gets his results through hard and consistent training.
Challenging this pair is the experienced Dougal Thorburn
(Ariki), who gained fastest time in the Barnes cross-country
two weeks ago. Thorburn (29), a Dunedin doctor, has the
endurance and experience to win the senior men's race.
He leads an Ariki team expected to again win the six-man
teams race over the 10km distance. Thorburn is an experienced
mountain runner and has represented New Zealand at the world
championships. He has also competed in the Coast to Coast.
The back-up men in the Ariki team are Tim Dobier, Chris
Weddell, Greg Brockbank, Chris Weddell, Xaviour Walker, Chris
Tipper and Alastair Chisnall.
Kirsty Morris (Leith), who won last year, is the favourite to
win the women's race from clubmates Sue Cuthbert and Megan
Balchin, who gained fastest time in the Barnes cross-country.
The starting times are 1.30pm for senior women and 2.35pm for
senior men.
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