Road warriors join in fun run and high ride

Sydney's James Fowler was first across the line, ending the 30-kilometre ride in a time of one hour and six minutes, followed by fellow Sydney rider Christian Lees.

It was a sprint to the end for third place between three-time national champion Huw Morgan, of Canberra, and the first female past the post, Amy Vesty, of Sydney - Morgan triumphed.

It was Fowler's fifth year of competing in the Clarendon ride, and he was hungry for a win after missing out on honours in the national penny farthing championships at Evandale on Saturday.

He even beat a train near the end of the course just so he wouldn't lose his lead.

Although at times it looked as if the big wheels glided easily along the straights, Fowler said it was a pain-driven ride over the entire course.

"The pressure is on the whole time and the solid rubber tyres don't give you much relief - you feel every bump in the road," he said.

"It's pretty rough going over some of the railway crossings, and I didn't expect a train to turn up at the last one but I was fast enough to beat it.

"If I had of stopped, the people behind me might have caught up."

Penny farthing riders shared the road with runners in the 22nd Nile Ten Mile event yesterday.

Fifty-five runners registered for the 16-kilometre run, with 75 in the five- kilometre event and 32 in the children's one kilometre.

Launceston's David Thomas was first to finish in the premier event, in a time of 52 minutes and 32 seconds.

Thomas was followed by Charles Gunn, of Launceston, and Phil Clarke, of Newstead.

Holly Ranson, of Trevallyn, was the first woman over the line.

Robert "The General" Lee has competed in every Nile Ten Mile since the footrace started in 1988, through rain, extreme heat and strong headwinds.

He said each year he revelled in the challenge.

"It feels as if you've completed a personal victory once you've finished - it's not a short race by any means and it's not a marathon but it's a real challenge," Lee said.