A blustery southwest wind made its presence felt throughout the first half of the course, testing the resolve of competitors and making for much slower times.
The time recorded by Gibbons was a typical example of the conditions. Last year he finished third in 1hr 14min, but yesterday, despite being better prepared, his time dropped to 1hr 18min 1sec.
Gibbons (22), a statistics student at the University of Otago, shot to an early lead and was surprised no-one challenged him early, leaving him to battle into the wind alone while he put distance between himself and the rest of the field.
Not until he hit the long section of the course on the Outram-to-Berwick Rd, was he able to obtain shelter to further increase his work rate and gain some respite with the advantage of a tail wind.
"I felt as though I was on par with what I did last year," Gibbons said of his run, despite the time.
He felt it was probably a four or five-minute wind.
Gibbons plans to take a two-week break because of university exams, and look to build up for the 5000m over the summer track and field season.
Finishing runner-up to Gibbons in the half marathon was Anthony Rodger, who also suffered time-wise because of the conditions, recording 1hr 20min 54sec, with Shaun Barlow third in 1hr 21min 7sec.
It was all one-way traffic in the associated 10km events as well, with Rachel Kingsford and Caden Shields clearing away from the field early to win the 10km titles.
A late decision for Kingsford to enter paid off as she crossed to clinch the title in 36min 4sec.
Kingsford (24), a bachelor of science and physiology student, had not run since finishing fourth in the national road championships at the beginning of September.
"It was a bit of a struggle early on," she said.
"That wind was ridiculously so strong down the back leg."
Not until the final 3km with the wind behind her was Kingsford able to gather some momentum and extend her initial lead in what was a competitive field.
Victoria Beck finished second in 36min 37sec, Kirsty Morris third in 37min 38sec and Shireen Crumpton fourth in 37min 42sec.
A heavy training schedule recently may have left Shields feeling a little flat. But there was little evidence of this when he crossed to claim the senior men's 10km title in 32min 17sec.
Shields was inspired to enter when he heard of Dougal Thorburn's Guinness Book of World Records attempt with a push chair.
Shields is targeting the Zatapek 10,000m at Melbourne in December.
"It was a good hard-out effort, really. I'm in the middle of exams at the moment so I'm focused on that and a bit tired from all the study... This was a good opportunity to get a good run in and not worry about the time too much," he said.
Just behind Shields in second place and in world-record time pushing a pram was Dougal Thorburn in 32min 26sec, with last year's Hill Free Half Marathon champion, Mike Wakelin, third in 33min 17sec.
Rozie Robinson appears in peak conditions a week out from the national road walking championships, when she won the associated 10km walk in 51min 47sec.
In the future champions race over 2km for children, local knowledge played a part with Outram School year 6 pupil Trey Russell blitzing the field in 7min 24sec.
