John Bayne 51, (Leith Harriers) Dunedin, (209.434 km) and Penny Kirkwood 47, (YMCA Marathon Club) Auckland, (146.363 km) won the 2016 Sri Chinmoy 24-Hour Races (Inaugural Athletic New Zealand Championships) on the weekend.

After an absorbing dual with 2014 Champ, Aussie Mick Thwaites during the first 10 hours John ran resolutely through the night to achieve a very fine victory.

Jamie Hawker 57, (Port Hills Athletic) Christchurch, (193.936 km) ran with strength and committment for second place ... followed by 2013 winner Wayne Botha 44, (Takapuna Harriers) Auckland, (191.643 km).

Multi Iron-man and Kepler finisher, Shirley Rolston 67, (Port Hills Athletic) Christchurch, (129.681 km) ran a N.Z (Women 65-69) 24-hour age best performance.

Paul Riedel  47, Taupo (102.000 km) and Christine Tuka 54, (Wanganui Athletics) Wanganui, (75.400 km) won the Sri Chinmoy 12-Hour Races.

Another outstanding performance in the 12-hour came from Gary Regtien 80, (Takapuna Harriers) Auckland, (75.312 km), who set a N.Z (Men 80-84) age best performance.

Craig Price 44, Papamoa (62.499 km) and Debbie Skilton 44, Auckland (59.812 km) had comfortable wins in the Sri Chinmoy 6-Hour Race.

N.Z. ultra great Richard Tout presented the Richard Tout & Sandy Barwick 24-Hour Perpetual Trophies to 2016 champions John and Penny.