By David Di Somma
A desperately close trans-Tasman finish has highlighted the National Cross Country Championships in Christchurch.
The national champs were held at Halswell Quarry, about 20 minutes drive from central Christchurch.
For the first time this event was also the Oceania Championships. And as an extra incentive, the first home in the men's and women's junior and senior races gained automatic selection for next year's world championships in Poland.
Athletes from Australia, the Cook Islands and Guam were among those vying for titles and the men's race in particular was a show stopper.
Canterbury's Andrew Davidson took his first national title, but was pipped at the line for the Oceania title by Timothy Rowe from New South Wales.
Australia also claimed the women's race as well, where there was plenty of to-ing and fro-ing before Melinda Vernon got the better of Canterbury's leading hope Fiona Crombie.
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