The winner of the women's section, Fiona Crombie
(Auckland), leads runner-up Rachel Kingsford (Otago) during
the national road racing championships at Logan Park on
Saturday. Photo by Jane Dawber.
Fiona Crombie (Canterbury) took full advantage of a slow
first half to power away over the final lap and win the senior
women's national road title in Dunedin on Saturday.
The victory gave Crombie (27), an environmental scientist for
Solid Energy, the prestigious national cross-country-road
title double.
The tactical slow start to the women's title race might have
given Crombie an opportunity to settle into her work, but it
was the dogged determination of Otago champion Rachel
Kingsford that she found hard to shake over the final stages.
"She was tough. She stuck in there," Crombie said of the
threat posed by Kingsford throughout the race.
Crombie was aware of the danger posed by Kingsford, the North
Island cross-country champion, who had been below par in the
national cross-country because of the flu.
"It was good for her to even turn out really," Crombie said
of Kingsford's race at the national cross-country.
"I think that is one of the biggest things that people don't
do is push it when they're sick."
Crombie really enjoyed the 10km Butts Rd course and found the
laps ideal in length.
"It's good to have the constant support around the course."
This support was evident when the pace went on around the
three-quarter stage as Crombie and Kingsford shook off the
challenges of Kellie Palmer (Canterbury), Gabrielle ORourke
(Wellington) and Kirsty Morris (Otago).
It was only over the final kilometre that Crombie was able to
edge away from Kingsford, crossing to finish in 35min
27.75sec, with Kingsford second in 35min 46.56sec and Palmer
third in 36min 19.61sec.
The title was Crombie's fifth national crown for the year, to
go with her cross-country title last month and the track and
field 1500m, 3000m and 3km steeplechase titles.
Her goal now is to qualify for next year's Commonwealth
Games, either in the 1500m or 3km steeplechase.
She is yet to decide which.
Crombie has previously represented New Zealand at world
cross-country championships numerous times, both as a senior
and as a junior.
She has also competed in the World University Games in China
and Turkey and so is fully aware of the climatic demands of
the Commonwealth Games in Deli next year will pose should she
qualify.
A name, residential address, and (preferably residential) telephone number is required from readers who comment on ODT Online. These details will not be visible to site visitors.