Dale Warrander has taken up the opportunity to contest the New Zealand road championship, based on the Sir Barry Curtis 10km Classic in Pakuranga on Sunday.
The road championships were scheduled to be held in Christchurch on 4 September, but the earthquake that shook the city early that morning put paid to that.
Warrander, who runs for the Pakuranga Club but is based on the Gold Coast, has decided to cross the Tasman for a good hit out two weeks before contesting the Auckland Marathon.
"I've been training well over the last four months which has resulted in some solid performances and to regain the New Zealand road title at the Sir Barry Curtis race would be a nice feeling," said Warrander.
"It looks like a good field so a fast time should be on the cards. It would be nice to go close if not beat my race record of 29m 32s if the conditions are good, but the win would be satisfying," he added.
Warrander won at Pakuranga four years in a row from 2003, which includes his race record in 2005, and he has won the national road title three times, in 1994, 2003 and 2008.
Jason Woolhouse, winner for the last two years, has entered and other challengers to Warrander's winning chances will come from Brett Tingay, national cross country champion Alex Parlane, Stephen Lett, Matt Harris, Hayden McLaren and Adrian Bailey.
Fiona Crombie of Canterbury should retain her New Zealand women's road title. Also in the women's field are Lisa Robertson, Danielle Trevis, Rachel Kingsford, Tina Harris, Shireen Crumpton, Johanna Ottosson and Penny Peskett. Kate McIlroy holds the women's record of 33m 2s set in 2005.
The masters men and the M19 championship, which has Cameron Graves and Jonathan Jackson entered, will be contested over the 10km while the championships for W19, M16, W16 and masters women will be based on the 5km event.
Bernie Portenski of Wellington, although a master has opted for the 10km race where she will be attempting to set a world age group (60-64) record
The 10km starts at Musick Point at 9.30am and finishes at Lloyd Elsmore Park in Pakuranga. The 5km starts from the corner of Gills Road and Bucklands Beach Road at 9am.
