HOLDING a pie in his left hand and a bottle of energy drink in his right, Nambour runner Neil Labinsky did not look like he had just completed one of the most gruelling runs imaginable.

The 29-year-old had the relaxed demeanour of someone fresh from a brisk afternoon stroll when he answered questions only minutes after winning the 49th annual Great Pyramid Race at Gordonvale.

Labinsky ran the 12km course in 1hr 17min 18sec – only two minutes slower than the race record he set last year. Now a two-time champion of the race, Labinsky said Saturday’s warm temperatures did not affect his running strategy.

"I anticipated it being a bit hotter but I made sure I grabbed some water on the way up," he said.

"I was sitting behind the first three on the way up. I caught up after a few minutes and sat behind them for a while but I didn’t expect to get to the top first because I haven’t before.

"They dropped off. It was a typical war of attrition to see who could hold on the longest."

Hervey Bay’s Steven Page was runner-up for the second year in succession, finishing seven minutes behind Labinsky. Immediately seeking out a bench to rest his weary legs after stopping the clock, an exhausted Page said this year’s race took more of a physical toll than the 2007 event.

"It was a lot harder," he said.

"I knew there were a few quick people in the field. I just planned to run my own race and run as fast as I can.

"Whether I came first or wherever, I just made sure I gave it my all."

Deahne Turnbull won the women’s section after crossing in a time of 1:46:02, with Elise Northey (1:57:48) second.

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