Lamont Marshall had a second straight second-place finish in Saturday’s 10K while Tamika Miranda was the first local female as she crossed the line 40th overall.

Marshall was involved in an exciting sprint finish with England’s Nick Swimburn, moments after Jordan Chipangama had taken first place. Marshall completed the course in 31min 46sec, just two seconds ahead of Swimburn just as the rain began to fall.

He was 27 seconds slower than the time he posted in more pleasant conditions a year ago.

“I just wanted to go for the win and in a worst-case scenario I figured I’m fit enough to at least make the podium,” said Marshall, whose second place was his third in five years.

“This is my first race for the season and I’m focusing on the track this year in the 3,000-metres steeplechase, my first time running the distance. It’s the only distance I haven’t done on the track. It’s an exciting event and I’ll just take it from there.

“Without the overseas trips and international competition you are nothing, you have to get that competition and it is good when you can get guys to come down here and challenge you.”

Marshall knew the conditions would be challenging for all the runners, particularly the strong wind coming back on North Shore.

“I just wanted to win it and felt I was a legitimate contender because I came second last year,” he said.

“He [Chipangama] broke away from us somewhere on North Shore, he’s very strong. I know he was going for the triple.”

Swimburn put up a good showing in conditions he more expected to find at home in Newcastle.

“The conditions were really, really windy but I enjoyed running in it,” said Swimburn, 27.

“It is so much an advantage if you can run with someone. Lamont and I shared the pace, he went ahead and then I would go ahead.

“I’m used to the wind and rain, but this was even hot for us, really humid, though a nice change. It was a great crowd, obviously supporting Lamont but there was a lot of support for everyone. I hope to come back.”

Spencer Butterfield was the second local finisher, following up his win in the local adult mile the night before, as he finished ninth overall in 36:19. Another Marshall, Larry, was three places behind in 36:36 as he continues his return to the running scene.

“It was tough and I didn’t know where I was going to go,” said the older Marshall. “I was on pace for the first three miles and was able to put it together with a solid effort in the wind and rain.

“It’s a tough course but just shows I’m fitter than I was last year. Hopefully my body is not too sore and that I can maintain my training and increase it. I haven’t had a good burn like this in years.”

Tamika Miranda was the first local female 10K competitor, 40th overall and six places behind Rose-Anna Hoey who did the Full Challenge.

“That North Shore is always windy and like I say every year everybody has to go through the same thing,” Miranda said.

“It got a little rough running from Palmetto onto Frog Lane, it just blew you back with the gusts. The 10K for me is a fitness because I’m not a long distance runner, but every year I try to get a little bit better.

“Actually my legs felt pretty good today, I went out well with Rosie [Hoey] but probably a little too fast. I think we wanted to take advantage of the fact that it wasn’t too gusty on the first half.”

Miranda’s husband Jose was fifteenth overall in 37:47 as he came in behind Larry Marshall and Chris Harris.

“After about a mile or so I was by myself, then Kenia Sinclair came up next to me and we pretty much raced together the whole time,” Jose said.

“I’m training for a marathon in March, so a 10K felt a little fast for me today. But all things considered it was good for me.”