Athletics: Cross-country test for Kidd

Sam Kidd (Otago University) will have to stay focused, if he is to win the Otago cross-country crown at Waikouaiti today.

Kidd (21), was a dominant force when he won the Edmond Cup steeplechase last month at Wingatui, but the Otago cross-country course is a completely different proposition.

The Edmond Cup event, although cross-country, is a basic 8800m flat course, but the Otago Cross-country is 12,000m, encompassing a demanding hill section on each of the four laps.

Kidd found himself running on reserve to win the Edmond Cup, but that victory followed a week of demanding university exams and he has since had a month's holiday to re-invent himself.

Should Kidd win the senior men's title today, he will become just the fourth representative of the Otago University to do so, joining Peter Walsh (1965), Euan Robertson (1974 and 1975), and Andrew Davidson (2005).

But 2006 Edmond Cup champion Stafford Thompson (Ariki), may be the runner to deny Kidd this opportunity.

Thompson, who returned to Dunedin from Western Australia early this year has yet to reappear in local races, despite entry submissions from his club.

Kirsty Morris (Leith) appears a favourite for the women's title, along with Erin Whitla (Otago University) and Rachel Kingsford (Hill City).

Roman Salis could be hard to beat in the junior women's event, while the junior men's event is full of interest.

Simon Roger, who won the junior men's title in the Edmond Cup, should win the race, but his affiliation to the Wellington Club makes him ineligible for the title, which will go to the first placed Otago affiliated runner.

Age-group races start at noon, the senior women's race over 8000m starts at 1.05pm and the senior men's at 1.50pm.