A runner who has been edging his way closer to victory in recent races finally became a marathon champion in Queenstown on Saturday.
Daniel Jones, of Wellington, took home the gold with a time of just over two hours and 32 minutes, after joining almost 2400 competitors in the Queenstown International Marathon.
The 28-year-old finished the race more than 10 minutes clear of runner-up Alex Cowden and third-placed Ewan Sinclair.
Jones said he had passed through Queenstown before but it was his first time "actually getting to really enjoy the place", as well as his first marathon win.
He said it was "pretty awesome" to taste victory on such an "amazing" course.
But the race didn’t come without its challenges for Jones, who said he felt "pretty cooked" at the finish line.
"My calves were just real tight ... it was painful just running."
Jones, who finished second at the Auckland Marathon just two weeks ago, now has his sights set on the Lake Biwa Marathon in Otsu, Japan, in March.
British runner Hannah Oldroyd, of Christchurch, took home the women’s title once again with a time of two hours, 52 minutes and 13 seconds, after winning gold last year.
The 31-year-old, who crossed the finish line minutes ahead of runners-up Lydia O’Donnell and Aimee Durbin, said it was "so unexpected" and "unreal" to become a back-to-back champion.
"I was thinking fifth or six might be reasonable ... but yeah, over the moon.
"This is probably one of the most scenic marathons I have ever done, so yeah, got to keep coming back and doing it."
Second-place runner O’Donnell, of Auckland, only decided to race a few days ago, not long after finishing 20th at the New York Marathon.
Daniel Balchin, of Cromwell, successfully defended his title in the half marathon, finishing in one hour, eight minutes and 42 seconds.
Aucklander Lisa Cross won the women’s half marathon, despite enduring a painful burst blister over the last few kilometres.
Evan Elder and Rebekah Greene took home the respective men’s and women’s Cigna 10k race titles, both doing so in record time.
Marathon runners set off from Millbrook Resort at 8.20am, passing through Arrowtown, around Lake Hayes and through Lower Shotover, before following the Kawarau River and running along the Frankton Arm to finish at the Recreation Ground, in Queenstown.
More than 11,000 runners took part in four race events on the day.
