Athletics: Half-marathon decided on last hill

History repeated itself when Glen Ferguson was involved in another classic battle in the Balclutha half-marathon yesterday.

Ferguson, who won the event in 1998 and 2001, dead-heated with Ian Ferguson in a classic battle in 2000.

Yesterday, Ferguson was involved in yet another classic race for the South Otago title, with Mike Wakelin (40), who transferred from Wellington earlier this year.

Wakelin had recorded fastest time overall in the Barnes Cross-country, and finished second in the Edmond Cup steeplechase.

Ferguson attacked first yesterday, setting a solid opening pace from the start, just outside Clydevale, to lead the field through the first 3km.

Only Wakelin and Oliver O'Sullivan made an attempt to challenge Ferguson and they conducted a cat-and-mouse affair between the 3km and 16km marks, before Ferguson increased the tempo and opened up a small lead.

Wakelin was quick to counterattack and the two fought it out stride for stride over the next 4km, with O'Sullivan drifting off the pace.

The 800m run up the hill to the Rosebank Lodge finish was the deciding factor, as Wakelin pulled away over the final 400m, to win in 1hr 12min 2sec.

Ferguson was 10sec behind in second and O'Sullivan third in 1hr 12min 56sec.

Defending champion Tom Hunt was fourth in 1hr 15min 44sec.

In the open women's race, Kirsty Morris proved to strong over last 5km, edging way from Sue Cuthbert to win in 1hr 24min 37sec.

Cuthbert recorded 1hr 25min 9sec and Kerry Rowley was third in 1hr 33min 48sec.