In a race that mirrored the recent Otago 3000m event, it came down to another clash between the rivals in the final stages.
Inkster-Baynes was unyielding in the pressure he applied on the field, going to the line in 14min44.82sec, with Meffan second in 14min 50.31, and a flying Nathan Baxter third in 14min 52.62sec. As the first Otago-registered athlete, Meffan won the title.
Inkster-Baynes competed for Christchurch club New Brighton until moving to Wanaka two years ago and, because of the depth of top middle-distance runners in the Christchurch club, decided to stay affiliated.
Inkster-Baynes is joined in the New Brighton club ranks by former Otago middle-distance champions Daniel Balchin and Callan Moody.
With the recent move north by a several top Otago runners, it is left to Meffan to lead the rebuilding of Otago middle-distance fortunes on the national stage.
He was ''pretty happy'' with yesterday's result, despite feeling a little flat.
With a personal-best over the distance of 14min 42sec, he won the 5000m title last year in the slower time of 15min 6sec. He will represent Otago over the distance at the national championship in two weeks and on Easter Sunday contests the Lakes Half Marathon in Wanaka.
Other highlights yesterday.-Liz Wilson (Hill City-University) set a record over 400m for the women's 50 grade of 1min 3.18sec.
Andrew Whyte (Hill City-University) made an impressive return to the track after a three-month layoff following surgery on both calf muscles, winning the open men's 400m in 47.10sec.
Christina Ashton (Taieri), blasted her way to another Otago record, clocking 14.94sec in the 100m hurdles and eclipsing both the old hand-held (15.30sec) and electronic (15.42sec) marks.
