Representing Marlborough Athletics Robbie and Jess Barnes claimed their first national running titles on 
Saturday at the NZ Mountain Running Championships in Wainuiomata, Wellington.
Saturday at the NZ Mountain Running Championships in Wainuiomata, Wellington.Competing in the Mens 50-54 Age Group over the 9km distance Robbie outclassed race favourite Wellington’s Liam Healey to win by two minutes. Robbie’s winning time was 46.1 minutes. The undulating out and back course course with a couple of extra loops played nicely into Robbie’s hands. Despite drizzly overnight rain the course was in reasonably good condition throughout.
Colin Earwaker (Lake City) and Paul Sharp (Wellington) competing in the Mens 55-59 Age Group were the only two Masters Men ahead of Robbie over the 9km course.
Jess comfortably beat Hastings athlete Monica Burnard by more than four minutes to comfortably win the Junior Womens crown. Race favourite Monica towered over Jess and rocketed away at the start but it was Jess’s experience on the hills that saw her win in a time of 27.4 minutes over the 4km distance.
In addition to winning gold medals Robbie and Jess also won two of the eight spot prizes on offer.
Masters Mens Race results – http://athletics.org.nz/Resource.aspx?ID=17326
Junior Womens Race results – http://athletics.org.nz/Resource.aspx?ID=17328
Photo Copyright Sharon Wray