54 runners take off in the Blenheim Trust 5K race in Carrot Bay on Saturday March 28, 2015. Photo: Dean 'The Sportsman' Greenaway

Stoby led from start to finish, meandering his way through the winding streets of the scenic north coast seaside village on the looped course that had an incline going and coming, to win in 17 minutes and 41 seconds for the fastest time recorded on the route.

Tarique Moses and Julius Farley followed in 18:14 and 19:35 respectively.

Stoby revealed that his plan developed two weeks ago was simple--go hard from the start--as he had the benefit of training on the course a few mornings.

"I didn't think that a lot of people might want to start out so quickly and that is something I've been working on--my start--trying to go out fast and find a decent rhythm somewhere in the middle of the race," Stoby explained. "I'm glad I was able to keep up to the plan but it wasn't easy knowing that Moses could be a threat."

Moses said it was a good race but Stoby's early move caught him by surprise. "I didn't think he would have gone out so hard and hold that pace," Moses said. "When I started closing on him on the hill (returning), he kept looking back at me. Every time he saw I was gaining ground on him, he would pick it up, then relax. He actually got me on the hill and from there he won the race. But, I'm going to work harder--I'm coming back for him--he'll see me again."

Race director Kay Reddy said Stoby's time was amazing. She said even though the course is flat, going and coming, Sugar Mill Hill is high enough to put lactic acid in one's legs--coupled with the wind and a little bit of early morning heat. "It's not the easiest course of the series and it's an absolutly incredible time," she said. "If he can do that on this course, I can see the time coming down even further."

For the first time in series history, there was a kids short course in which Charlie Potgeiter edged Sebbie Morgan.

Final results; Men: 1. Reuben Stoby, 17 minutes and 41 seconds. 2. Tarique Moses, 18:14. 3. Julius Farley, 19:35. 4. Ravindra Sukha, 20:03. 5. Zebalon McLean, 20:52. 6. Paul Hubbard, 20:56. 7. Dan Mitchell, 21:48. 8. Russell Crumpler, 22:16. 9. Derek Pettigrew, 22:24. 10. Adrian Dale, 22:46. 11. Jonathan Barnard, 23:14. 12. Charles Kerins, 23:20. 13. David Pettigrew, 24:30. 14. Julien Johnson, 25:18. 15. Claudius Rhymer, 25:56. 16. Rory Lynch, 25:56. 17. Sam Potgieter, 26:25. 18. Stephen Bridson, 27:09. 19. Andre Kartick, 28:48. 20. Chris Potgieter, 29:22. 21. Howard Moore, 30:00. 22. Richard Morgan, 31:20. 23. Stephen Beard, 32:45. 24. Bill Kinkead, 35:52. 25. Shane & Paddy Donovan, 41:44. 26. TJ Torres, 43:25. 27. Barry Leon, 43:31.

Women: 1. Katrina Crumpler, 21:04. 2. Rosmond Johnson, 22:06. 3. Melissa Brunner, 23:25. 4. Jenny McIvor, 23:26. 5. NiMade Oniasih, 23:50. 6. Claire-Louise Whiley, 23:58. 7. Anna Kinkead, 24:38. 8. Juliane Potgieter, 24:58. 9. Kay Reddy, 25:14. 10. Eva Askuly, 27:05. 11. Lisa Bridson, 27:36. 12. Natasha Ruscheinski, 27:48. 13. Jenny Dobbie, 27:52. 14. Shariesma Maduro, 29:31. 15. Barbara O'Neal, 29:44. 16. Candy Holdt, 30:17. 17. Karen Birr, 30:58. 18. Ghislaine Hoogendijk, 31:01. 19. Jude Holmes, 31:28. 20. Sabinah Clement, 43:31. 21. Mai Canlas, 43:46. Sophia Addis, no time.

Youth course: 1. Charlie Potgeiter, 10:41. 2. Sebbie Morgan, 10:42. 3. Tom Bridson, 11:09. 4. Xavier Morgan, 12:36. 5. Joey Potgieter.

Walkers: Sophie Bennett, Linda Li, 45:00.

Results by Divisions

MALE AGE GROUPS

UNDER 10: 1. Sam Potgieter

UNDER 15: 1. Derek Pettigrew

UNDER 18: 1. Andre Kartick

20-29: 1.Tarique Moses. 2. Daniel Mitchell

30-39: 1. Reuben Stoby 2. Julius Farley 3. Ravindra Sukha 4. Russell Crumpler 5. Jonathan Barnard 6. Julien Johnson 7. Claudius Rhymer 8.Richard Morgan 9. Shane & Paddy Donovan 9. TeeJay Torres

40-49: 1. Zebalon McLean 2. Paul Hubbard 3. Rory Lynch 4. Stephen Bridson 5. Chris Potgieter 6. Stephen Beard

50-59: 1. Adrian Dale 2. Charles Kerins 3. David Pettigrew 4.Howard Moore 5. Barry Leon

60+ 1. Bill Kinkead

FEMALE

20-29: 1. Melissa Brunner 2. Natasha Ruscheinski 3. Jude Holmes 4. Sophia Addis

30-39 1. Katrina Crumpler 2. Jenny McIvor 3. Claire-Louise Whiley 4. Juliane Potgieter 5. Lisa Bridson 6. Jenny Dobbie 7. Shariesma Maduro 8. Candy Holdt 9. Caryn Birr 10. Mai Canlas

40-49 1. Rosmond Johnson 2. NiMade Oniasih 3. Anna Kinkead 4. Ghislaine Hoogendijk 5. Sabinah Clement

50-59 1. Kay Reddy 2. Eva Askuly 3. Barbara O'Neal