Fergus, 28, said she last competed in the half-marathon section of the Emerson’s-sponsored event about seven years ago as a student.
"I was sober running this one, compared to back then," she said.
"I had my flat initiation the night before and then had to run the bloody half-marathon the next day and I almost crawled to the finish line. So it definitely feels better than that today."
Fergus, who is coached by Don Greg, used yesterday’s half-marathon as part of her training for the full Auckland marathon at the beginning of November.
Conditions were difficult, prompting her to latch on to a large pack up front early.
"I think this helped battle the strong head wind," she said, adding that it also allowed her to eye up her main rivals.
Fergus said for the majority of the first half of the course, she felt reasonably free. It was just a matter of trying to conserve energy for the business end of the race.
She made her intentions known 5km out from the finish. After taking over the lead with 3km remaining, she found another gear.
"It was just a matter of seeing what was left in the tank and pushing it as much as possible. Once I got a sniff of being able to win I thought I’d put the foot down and go for it."
Fergus said it was great to be back in Dunedin to race and lay to rest the ghosts of seven years ago.
"It is an awesome environment and coming back in towards the finish has awesome crowd support."
Second in the women’s section of the half-marathon was Jessica Bray, who clocked 1hr 22min 45sec, with Alyx Day third in 1hr 23min 53sec.
Despite finding he was running into a head wind in both directions, Cantabrian Logan Griffin, 30, made every post a winner to claim the men’s half-marathon title in 1hr 10min 23sec.
A winner of Dunedin’s Three Peaks two years ago, Griffin said yesterday’s half-marathon was possibly just as much a challenge.
"It was tough. It was a long way home.
"I had a really nice run going out to the turn only to slog all the way back."
Griffin was stoked with his time despite having run quicker over the distance. He knew from the start it was not going to be a day to run fast and it was a matter of staying in control and pushing when he felt good.
The next goal for Griffin is the Queenstown marathon in November, after which he plans to return to the trails in preparation for a return the Three Peaks next year. There he will take on the longer three-plus-one course.
"I love Dunedin. It’s lovely running down here."
Second-placed Corban Straker stopped the clock at 1hr 12min 16sec and Jason van Kempen posted 1hr 14min 47sec for third.
It proved a close-run thing in the open men’s 10km yesterday. Simon Cromarty, third last year, clocked 33min 3sec to win the title from Jake Owen, second in 33min 32sec, and Stephen Johnson, third in 34min 35sec.
The open women’s 10km was won by Becky Aitkenhead in 35min 6sec, from Stephanie Wilson, second in 39min 56sec, and Tessa Molloy, third in 41min 36sec.
Caleb Dobier won the open men’s 5km in 17min 21sec, and Brooke Martin the open women’s 5km in 20min 52sec.
Race walking international Alexander Brown won the 10km walk in 54min 36sec.
By Wayne Parsons
