Dunedin's Dougal Thorburn overcame a fast and demanding pace set by Andrew Douglas to win the Papatowai Challenge on Saturday, with both breaking the race record.
Douglas shot out to lead the field from the start, taking Thorburn by surprise with the pace.
The two remained together for the first 10km of the 15.5km circuit in the heart of the Catlins until Thorburn got an edge on the four-wheel-drive track leading off the long beach section.
Although Douglas continued to pose a threat, Thorburn was gradually able increase his lead in the final stages to smash the race record of 54min 52sec set by Invercargill's Chris Booth in 2004.
Thorburn finished in 53min 27sec.
Douglas was also under the old record with his time of 54min 4sec, with Dunedin's Oliver O'Sullivan third in 57min 30sec.
Thorburn last competed in the event in 2002, finishing third in 57min 53sec, in a race won by Barry Ledington who set a record mark that day of 54min 59sec.
Since then, Thorburn moved to Wellington to further his medical studies and has only recently returned to Dunedin.
He won the half marathon section of the Dunedin Marathon last September.
Thorburn was doubtful as to whether he would be able to start Saturday's race, as early last week he was still recovering from heaviness in his legs following his second place in the two-day individual section of the recent Coast to Coast.
Thorburn's next major goal is the national mountain running championships in Wellington on April 18.
Another race record tumbled when Louisa Andrew raised the standard for masters women when she completed the 15.5km journey in 1hr 5min 50sec.
Dunedin's Kirsty Morris won the open women's title for the third consecutive year in 1hr 4min 29sec.
Second was Hayley Michaels in 1hr 11min 46sec with Jessica O'Rourke third in 1hr 12min 2sec.
Joining the 420-strong field and gaining a five-year medal was the Dunedin Blind Foundation's Lyne Keogh and her guide dog Namu.
The pair completed the course in about 2hr 30min.
