Lining up at the start of the 12km senior men's race at Waikouaiti racecourse, Lambert knew there were "at least six or seven others" capable of winning.
"I thought I'd then just get stuck in and see how things went, and run my own race."
Lambert (21) a third-year physical education student, finished third last year, and has been troubled since with glandular fever which forced him from track and field competition over the summer months.
A promising middle-distance athlete, Lambert ended the 2006-07 season with a bronze medal in the junior men's 1500m at the national track and field championships.
Originally from Nelson, Lambert has come under the coaching arm of Greg Laughtenslager, who has guided his progress during his three years in Dunedin.
The combination had immediate success when Lambert won the Otago junior cross-country title (8000m) two years ago. Confident his bout of glandular fever was behind him, Lambert entered Saturday's event with the thought of "just having a go" and using the race as part of building his base for summer competition.
He initially took on the front of the field with Edmond Cup champion Sam Kidd (Otago University) and Ariki club-mate Callan Moody.
Also forcing the pace up front over the opening two laps was another Ariki representative, James List, along with John Winsbury (Leith).
Lambert began to apply pressure at the halfway stage and opened up a small lead, with only Kidd and Moody managing to maintain close contact.
Lambert continued to edge away to record what appeared in the end a comfortable victory in 40min flat.
Moody finished 32sec back in second place with Kidd third in 40min 59sec.
"That's one tough race", Lambert said at the finish.
Despite being a little leg weary, Shireen Crumpton (Hill City) held on to her early lead to win the senior women's title.
The 37-year-old nurse had been mistakenly entered in the master's women's grade in an earlier race, but was adamant that it was the senior title she was chasing.
"I'll stay senior as long as I'm competitive," she said after the race.
For Crumpton, who just two weeks ago won the women's section of the Gold Coast Marathon, there were not many threats to her status as Otago's top distance runner.
She won the senior women's race for the ninth time in 31min 11sec.
Second was Kirsty Morris (Leith) in 31min 22sec, with Rachel Kingsford (Hill City) third in 31min 35sec.
Other highlights were: Tony Payne (Caversham) outclassing a highly competitive field to win the junior men's title.
Payne shot out to an early lead and remained unchecked to win the 8000m event in 27min 49sec.
Romana Salis (Hill City) in commanding form to retain the junior women's title in 23min 25sec.
Anna Kean (Ariki) dominating the 3000m girls 14 event, recording an impressive 12min 8sec.
Anna-Lisa Uttley (Ariki) recording a convincing victory in the girl's 16-and-under race, recording an outstanding 15min 52sec for the 4000m.
Greg Brockbank (Ariki) returning to competitive running after a two-month layoff to win the open men's 4000m in 13min 58sec.
