BENDIGO University's Andy Buchanan achieved an "awesome' victory in yesterday's running of the Bendigo Bank Dragon Mile athletics classic.
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On a day where Buchanan won the prestigious 1609m race for the first time, Box Hill's Melissa Duncan became the first competitor to win the women's open four years running.
A runner-up in two previous Dragon Mile runs, Buchanan was rapt after winning a closely-fought duel with Ringwood's Tom Fawthorpe.
"It's always a big race and one I have always wanted to win," Buchanan said of the Easter classic.
"Growing up I watched the likes of Mark Fountain, Mark Tucker and Collis Birmingham win the Dragon Mile.
"It's always been a goal to win. It's an awesome feeling."
After charging up Pall Mall, Buchanan led the uphill climb at View Street.
As the field rounded the bend at Alexandra Fountain it was Fawthorpe in front of the Bendigo Harriers-organised event.
"The straight is a long way," Buchanan said.
A specialist coach in athletics for the Athlete Development Program at Bendigo South East Secondary College, Buchanan said "a big roar" at less than 50m to go spurred him on.
Buchanan's time was 4.15.
Fawthorp was runner-up for the men's open title ahead of Dean Ryan, South Bendigo's Daniel Plowright, and Windsor's Adam Conway.
Next major target for Buchanan is the Australian 10km road championship in Sydney on May 2.
Eaglehawk's Matthew Heislers put in a superb performance to be third overall and winner of the years 11-12 boys' title.
For Melissa Duncan and her family, the Dragon Mile has become an Easter tradition.
Yesterday's victory was the fifth she has achieved on Bendigo's streets.
After last week's nationals campaign, Duncan had a light week in training.
"The Dragon Mile is a great race," she said of racing before the thousands of people lining the route for the Bendigo Advertiser-sponsored gala parade.
"I'm excited," Duncan said of another superb feat.
Her time of 4.42 was three seconds faster than a year ago.
Runner-up in the women's open was Courtney Scott from Bacchus Marsh ahead of Tahli Bird.
Duncan spent the previous weekend racing at the Athletics Australia national track and field titles in Brisbane.
"It was a light week in training, so I was not too sure how I would go," Duncan said of the Bendigo race.
One of the country's top prospects on the track, Duncan is now based with the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra.
The 25-year-old will be bound for the United States later this month for a training block in Flagstaff and then some track meets.
"It's the first time I will do altitude training at Flagstaff."
A goal is to qualify for this year's world track and field titles in the 1500m or to race at the World University Games.
A Deakin University graduate in primary school teaching, Duncan is aiming for a time of 4:06.5 to qualify for the 1500m at the IAAF world and track field championships to be run in August in Beijing.
The World University Games are in Korea in July.
Many of the youngsters who raced the Dragon Mile could be like Duncan and represent Australia one day.
There were many outstanding runs in the mile and mini mile.
Grade four and under girls, 800m: Megan Wilson (Harcourt), Eloise McGregor (Lockwood), Skylar Woodward (Kennington).
Grade four and under boys, 800m: Harrison Boyd (Spring Gully), Logan Hromenko (Huntly), Jett Grundy (St Francis of the Field).
Grade 5-6 boys, 1609m: Ned Buckell (Kennington), Matt Buckell (Kennington), Harvey Gallagher (St Therese's).
Grade 5-6 girls: Tullie Rowe (Golden Square), Bethany Dean (Christian College Geelong), Audrey Savage (St Brenda Flemington).
Year 7-8 boys: Cameron Anderson (Bendigo South East), Jesse Matthews (Catholic College Bendigo), Declan Osborne (BSE).
Years 7-8 girls: Zahra Hayes (Rochester SC), Bridie Blake-Burrows (BSE), Yazmin Hayes (Rochester SC).
Years 9-10 boys: Hugh Schaeche (BSE), Ben Powell (Creek Street Christian College), Jake Hilson (Weeroona College).
Years 9-10 girls: Katherine Dowie (Clarendon College Ballarat), Kate Salvador (BSE), Maddison Hooke (Weeroona College).
Years 11-12 boys: Matthew Heislers (Girton Grammar), Sam Gibbs (Bendigo Senior Secondary College), Nathan Green (Girton Grammar).
Years 11-12 girls: Teleah Hayes (Rochester SC).
Veterans, 40-plus: Mike Bieleny (Bendigo University), Craig Green (Bendigo Harriers).
