Ryan, Megan crowned running royalty

A new King of the Withers was crowned in Blenheim’s southern hills yesterday - while a familiar face reclaimed the Queen of the Withers title.

Sixteen-year-old Marlborough Boys’ College year 12 student Ryan Marfell took out the men’s section of the popular new year 10km hill-running event, finishing in the smart time of 47 minutes 39 seconds. Second was Christian Cartwright in 48.22.

Close behind in third was Megan Graham, the former international squash player picking up her ninth victory in the women’s section. Her time was 48.39, the first three runners all breaking the 50-minute mark.

Ryan, who claimed the junior male title last year, said going into the race that his aim was to finish in the top three. “That was my goal. I knew there was a mountain runner that absolutely smashed the record last year [Andy Good, who came home in 38.07] and I thought that if he showed up again, the best I could hope for was second.”

With Good not taking part this year Ryan was able to dictate terms in the latter stages of the race.

“I sat in second up until just before ‘Jane’s Seat’ then gassed it to try and get a gap before the downhill, then held it the whole way home.”

Ryan is currently training hard for a shot at the 2022 Coast to Coast, where he will join forces with fellow MBC students Callum Anderson and Finn McKenzie for a shot at the schools two-day title.

Consequently, he is putting in some long miles. “I ran a half marathon two days ago so there was a bit of soreness in my legs … I sat in behind [Christian] then got him on the hills. That was my aim so I’m pretty happy.”

Megan, who did not compete last year while on maternity leave, said it was good to be back.

“I missed [the race], it was good to be out there again. It’s my favourite race, a good one to kick off the year.”

Although her preparation was disrupted by a teething child’s wakefulness last night, she said she was not the only one.

“The guy who finished just in front of me [Christian] said he had just had a baby a week ago and was also living off three hours sleep, so it was a battle of the sleep-deprived,” she added with a chuckle.

The second woman home was Shanay McMahon in 52.35, with last year’s Queen of the Withers, Emily Waters, coming third in 53.41.

Thirty-eight runners contested the main event, with 44 taking part in the hybrid race.

This was won by former local athlete Anna Kuegler in 1.00.48, with Kylie Matthews second and Daniel Gray third.

The walk was once more won by Don Bate in 1.13.04, from Linda Messman and Andrew Denmead.