Step aside Usain Bolt. Otago athletes and supporters witnessed the emergence of another superstar in world athletics yesterday, when Audrey Thorburn raced her way into the Guinness Book of World Records.
"Fantastic," her father, Dougal, said at the finish yesterday after pushing his daughter 10km in blustery conditions around the Hill Free course at Outram in 32min 26sec, smashing the record set by Australian Russell Stokes in 2008 of 33min 11sec.
"It's a great day for us here, Dunedin, Otago, our family, and a great celebration for my daughter and my family. It's a great day for the environment as well."
Thorburn was quick to give credit for the record to all those who helped out behind the scenes.
"To be able to capture that energy has been fantastic."
Thorburn first got the inspiration for yesterday's world record from the website message board nzrun, which listed random world record titles, of which 10km was one of them.
Although Thorburn has been a familiar sight around Logan Park and Dunedin's north end while training with a baby buggy in recent years, firstly with Lucy (now 5) and latterly with Audrey (2), it was only recently that he has been able to give a record attempt more serious consideration.
In July, he gave the 10km record a trial run on a course mapped out around Logan Park, clocking 33min 11sec and subsequently did a four-lapper in 28min comfortably, which he compared to a 10km time of 31min 40sec.
"This might spur a few people," he said, throwing the challenge out to running colleagues Phil Costley, Ben Ruthe and Matt Ingram, who have knocked on the door of 4min mile time.
Thorburn's task of achieving the world record yesterday was not made easy by what he termed a really, really mean southwester around the back end of the course, combined with a bit of stitch in the first half.
Realising the strength of the wind and its effect on Audrey, he was forced to multitask in full flight when he had to unfold the plastic wind break attachment and zip it up to provide her with shelter.
"Congratulations Audrey. You're the fastest 2-year-old and fast asleep. And you didn't need a nappy change," proud mother Amy Thorburn said to her daughter as she lifted the wind break.
Thorburn planned to celebrate becoming holder of the world record by spending time with family, enjoying the moment and hoping to catch up with all those who made the record possible yesterday.
But he also offered news of his impending departure from the South.
"It's been a great time in Otago, but we're heading back to Wellington in a couple of months to be closer to Amy's family."
Thorburn hopes to enter private medical practice in Wellington and combine this with promoting physical activity as an alternative means of transport.
As a parting gesture, Thorburn commended the Dunedin City Council for creating environmentally friendly spaces for people to walk and run.
"I've done a lot of my training on the Leith Saddle Rd. It's quite good for running with a buggy. It's been great."
Other distances Thorburn has in his sights are the half marathon distance with a buggy, which is set at 1hr 15min.
"I definitely think that would be feasible."
He paused a little at the thought of the marathon record of 2hrs 38min.
In the meantime, his immediate goal is to get his family settled into Wellington and target a national title, possibly looking looking at the mountain-running championships next year.
"But if there was a record for uphill running with a pram, I'd give it a shot. It's a great combination of speed and power."
