Waikato runner Katherine Camp triumphs over entire field at tough Huntly Half Marathon
Waikato middle- and long-distance runner Katherine Camp won the Huntly Half Marathon at a canter.
Waikato middle- and long-distance runner Katherine Camp has delivered one of her most impressive performances recently, claiming overall victory at the Huntly Half Marathon and finishing ahead of the entire field – the men included.
Camp stormed to the finish line in 1h 19m on a course considered one of New Zealand’s most demanding half-marathons.
Featuring a combination of road, gravel and cross-country terrain, the Huntly event tests both speed and endurance, making fast times rare.
What made Camp’s achievement even more striking was the margin of her victory: the next-closest runner finished around four minutes behind her.
“I went out hard from the start and just committed to it,” she said.
“I didn’t really see anyone after that. The goal was simply to treat it as a tough training run on a challenging course, so to come away with that time and the win was a bonus.”
The result builds on a strong run of form for the Te Awamutu-registered runner.
Just weeks earlier, Camp placed second overall at the Rotorua Half Marathon, finishing ahead of all but one of the men, narrowly missing out on the top spot.
“That one stung a little,” she admitted.
“I really wanted the overall win there, so it felt good to get it done at Huntly.”
Originally known for her success in track racing, including multiple national titles in the 800m category, Camp has transitioned in recent years to longer distances.
She has also built experience in cross-country and international marathon racing, steadily developing into a versatile endurance athlete.
Her focus is now firmly set on half-marathon and marathon events, with an ambitious schedule mapped out for the remainder of 2026.
Camp is targeting a breakthrough performance at the Gold Coast Half Marathon in July, where she aims to run between 72 and 73 minutes – elite territory.
Beyond that, she has her sights set on the World Half Marathon Championships in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Camp already achieved the qualifying standard with a time of 1h 14m 40s and is awaiting official selection confirmation in the coming weeks.
“I’m hopeful. It would be an amazing opportunity to represent New Zealand again on that world stage.”
Later in the year, she also plans to line up at the Berlin Marathon in Germany.
Despite her success, Camp’s marathon journey has had its challenges.
At the Nagoya Marathon in Japan earlier this season, she endured a difficult race day after nutrition issues forced her to stop twice mid-race.
“I had done everything right leading into it and felt really confident. But on the day, things just didn’t go to plan. It was frustrating.”
However, she showed resilience by backing up at the Christchurch Marathon, where she secured a third-place finish and recorded a personal best time.
“That one gave me a lot of confidence again,” she said. “It showed me I can bounce back and still perform.”
Now based in Auckland while studying biomedical science at Auckland University, Camp said she still considers Waikato home.
“I’ll always be a Waikato girl.”
Camp balances the demands of university life with an intense training programme.
Her weekly schedule includes around 130km of running, two key workout sessions, a long run and multiple strength and conditioning sessions in the gym.
“It’s definitely a juggle. Some weeks are tough trying to fit everything in, but I know what I’m working toward.”
Graeme “Mintie” Mead is a sports commentator, the host of the radio show Waikato All Sports Breakfast and a Newstalk ZB overnight host. He is also a councillor on the Hamilton City Council.