Long-distance runner Haftu Strintzos has claimed victory in this year’s Melbourne Half Marathon, a year after finishing runner-up.
“I feel much better than I felt last year,” the 26-year-old told The Sydney Morning Herald. “Time-wise it’s about the same but that was my debut here.”
A former 5km and 10km track runner, Strintzos said the switch to road racing had been a challenging adjustment.
“I just played to my strengths. I always knew I was a bit better at the longer distances,” he said.
Strintzos completed the race in 1:02:31, with his favourite stretch being Albert Park, where he has competed since childhood.
The win follows his 14th-place finish in the Sydney Marathon in August, marking his debut over the full marathon distance.
