Running: McDonald not defending title

Defending men's Challenge Wanaka winner Chris McDonald was a surprise withdrawal from the long-distance race, announced at a pre-race press conference in Wanaka yesterday.

Challenge Wanaka race director Victoria Murray-Orr said McDonald was a "last-minute" withdrawal from the 2010 event and would not defend the title and race record, which he set last year.

Murray-Orr said she did not know why McDonald had decided not to enter.

The big Australian was a popular winner last year on his way to setting a race record of 8hr 37min 41sec.

United States triathlete Justin Dearr, a long-time training companion of McDonald, said his friend was taking time out from the sport to allow himself recovery time after he found himself struggling with his training requirements.