It had been a frustrating time on the sideline, while missing numerous local and national events, and the chance of extending his national representation status.
Baxter's last race was as a national representative in the Oceania half marathon championships on the Gold Coast last year.
''I had a pretty amazing first six months of last year and ran some amazing times, but then the body shut down,'' he said.
''I was in such great shape, but pushed things too much and paid the price for it.''
Yesterday was all about managing his way back into the sport.
But in a field that contained defending champion Neale McLanachan, who was seeking a third consecutive Peninsula Challenge title, and an in form Jonah Smith, who just three weeks ago continued to stamp his authority on the local scene with second place in the Three Peaks mountain race, easing his way back in yesterday's 23km run over the Otago Peninsula was never going to be an easy task.
Baxter took a casual approach to his start yesterday. McLanachan set the pace from the start with a strong run up the first hill, after which Baxter and Smith took the lead, running together and maintaining the lead until Baxter began to pull away on the run around Hoopers Inlet.
''I was always aware Jonah was there or thereabouts but I managed to extend it over the last 5km,'' Baxter said.
Baxter crossed in 1hr 32min 57sec. Smith was second in 1hr 36min 25sec, and McLanachan third in 1hr 43min 40sec.
''This was always a see where I'm at race,'' Baxter said at the finish.
''It's definitely good to be getting back into it.''
If Baxter was pleased to be back running, then the smile on Mel Aitken's face said it all, after she smashed the 2009 course record for open women set by Louisa Andrew by 6min 16sec, when she crossed in 1hr 42min 35sec.
Aitken had a secret agenda going into the race of having a crack at the record, and with that in mind, she was little aware of the competition around her.
''I just focused on my race and had a pace in mind I wanted to sit at, and just went for it,'' she said.
Aitken said the course and conditions were perfect for good times.
She last raced the event two years ago and two Otago marathon titles later, and numerous other off road and half marathon titles, has matured into one of the province's top female runners.
Aitken said she had a couple of big races coming up and wanted to use the event as a gauge as to where she was at. The first of these races will be the City of Christchurch Marathon at Queens Birthday. Two weeks later she will race the Mt Difficulty off road event in Cromwell.
Her most recent success was in the Hapalua Half Marathon in Hawaii.
''I've been really focused this year on getting stronger and everything is going to plan.''
Second was Alice Coombes, in 1hr 55min 56sec and Sim Jones was third in 1hr 58min 53sec.
Promising junior Ben Rowley (17), won the associated 8.3km short course event in 45min 18sec, Lauren Lauren Turner was first home in the open women's section in 49min 41sec.
Julie Edmonds won the 16km walk section in a record time of 2hr 23min 13sec.
