World Mountain Running Trophy
Kiwis and Italians Dominate in Wellington
Michael Jaques / 25.09.2005
Wyatt lived up to his billing as the best mountain runner in history by winning his fifth World Mountain Running Trophy. But Kate McIlloy took the world’s best women by surprise with an equally dominant display.
Run over the steep slopes of the inner city Mount Victoria, the spectacular venue was a hit with spectators and competitors alike. Both the start/finish area on Oriental Parade and the summit of Mt Victoria saw crowds five deep. “It was amazing,� said Wyatt after becoming the first person to win five world titles. “On Mt Victoria the crowds were wall to wall. It was great having so many people screaming just for you.�
Wyatt certainly screamed around the course, following eager Aussie Scott McTaggart for the first kilometre of the 13.3k course before hitting the front halfway up Mt Victoria for the first time.
The day before at the pre-race media conference Wyatt had talked of the race being won on the last lap by the person who had spread their effort best. But then he dared the world’s best to chase him, opening up a 25sec lead by the summit that he extended to 45secs after the first lap. Over the summit for the second time his lead was 70secs and despite being only halfway done, the race was won.
Finishing though a tunnel of thousands of fellow Wellingtonians, Wyatt crossed the line in 53min 23secs. The clock ticked for another 2min and 12secs before Italy’s Gabriele Abate came through to claim silver.
Italy – Team Winners – Again!
As expected Italy dominated the team competition, with Abate in second, Davide Chico third, Marco Gaiardo – the only runner to try and stay close to Wyatt early on – fourth, and Emanuele Manzi eighth.
Behind Wyatt the New Zealand team rallied well, with Auckland’s Dale Warrander confirming his controversial selection with a sixth place in what was his first ever mountain race. After Warrander came Wellingtonians Ben Revell and Mike Wakelin in 31st and 37th, which was enough to give the Kiwis second in the team competition.
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