Alan Staite (Ariki) powered his way around the final lap to win the Barnes Cross-country at Kettle Park yesterday.
Staite (36), a brewery technician, transferred to Dunedin from Christchurch earlier this year. He joined the Ariki Club after befriending Stewart Paul at the national cross-country last year.
Staite pipped Paul on the line in a sprint finish to win the bronze medal in the men's 35-39 grade, and aware of his impending move south, made inquiries with Paul regarding the harrier club scene in Dunedin.
Yesterday was Staite's first taste of success in 10 years of running. He finished second in the Canterbury 10,000m championships three years ago, while five years ago he was a member of the winning Methodist Club team to win the Anglican Block Relay at Spencer Park.
Staite has slotted into the Ariki Club ranks with some ease. As a member of the club's team contesting the masters men 35 grade, he has helped the club's fortunes with a second place in the Lovelock Relay and a third in the Cross-country Relays.
Last weekend, he finished 14th in the 10km section of the Christchurch Marathon, recording 34min 37sec. His personal best over the distance is 33min 48sec.
With a handicap of 4min 45sec in yesterday's Barnes Cross-country, Staite had targeted club-mate Brent Halley, who was competing off the same mark.
Staite quickly opened up a gap on Halley as he began to work his way through the front-markers, coming into prominence midway through the third of four laps.
Coming off the third lap he had steamed up into third place, and soon after slotted into second place then began to quickly run down a huge lead David White (Caversham) had created.
He overtook White 600m out from the finish, and maintained his pace and momentum to finish 30sec clear of White in an actual time of 18min 50sec for the 5km course, with Peter Clark (Civil Service) third in an actual time of 19min 39sec.
"I was just trying to keep the field behind me," Staite said of his run after taking over the lead.
"I was running for my life."
Fastest time was recorded by Bevan Stevens (Caversham), who clocked 16min 59sec.
But there was double celebrations for Staite he headed an Ariki team also comprising Halley (4th), Drew Costello (6th), Alan Nicholls (7th), Alan Williment (8th) and Paul (14th), to win the interclub team trophy.
Ariki had further success, with Caitlin O'Brien putting in a powerful burst over the final 400m to win the open women's title in an actual time for the 3.75km event of 15min 25sec.
A year 13 student at St Hilda's Collegiate, O'Brien was unsure what to expect when competing from a handicap of 5min 15sec.
"I just kind of hung in there, I guess," she said.
O'Brien will be in cross-country action again later this week when she heads a senior girls team from St Hilda's to contest the National Secondary Schools Cross-country Championships in Auckland.
Fastest time in the open women's grade was recorded by Rebekah Greene, at 14min 9sec.