Otago runner Oli Chignell lifts the pace on his way to winning the men’s race at the New Zealand cross-country at Chisholm Park on Saturday. Chignell (23), a distance marketing student at Massey University, and three-time Otago cross-country champion Janus Staufenberg headed a tightly bunched 20-strong group over the first 2km lap. This group began to break up, and Chignell and Staufenberg were at the head of a bunch that had reduced to six. Despite a handy lead, Chignell continued to set a torrid pace and led the field home in a smart 31min 45sec. As a rookie in 2018, Chignell became the first Otago representative to win the New Zealand cross-country title since Olympian John Campbell 30 years earlier.

Source: Otago Daily Times August 08, 2021 16:37 UTC