Rotherham Harrier and doctor Luke Cotter starts life in New Zealand with a fine run in Auckland Marathon

Rotherham Harrier Luke Cotter finished third in the Auckland Marathon   — just a fortnight or so after he made the journey of more than 11,000 miles to start a new life.

Following his medical degree and training, Luke went over to New Zealand in early October, beginning work as a hospital doctor in Auckland on a permanent contract.

Luke has enjoyed his first two weeks at work, found a nice house share and was pleased with the marathon result, coming home in 2:22.49.

It was only his second marathon race — his first was at Manchester last year when he clocked 2:23.07.

“It was not a day or a course for chasing quick times but it was a small personal best,” said Luke.

“I was with a couple of 2:15/16 runners until about 23 miles. All things considered, I was pretty happy with that.

“Aerobically I felt good. My heart rate seemed pretty low — if accurate — and nutrition was much better than Manchester but my quads were in bits from about half way and I was cramping everywhere from about mile 22, which makes sense because I’d only ran more than 18 miles once in the last eight weeks.”

Luke finished behind winner home marathon runner Daniel Jones (2:21:52) and runner-up Daniel Balchin (2:22.25).

The Rotherham Harriers man added: “I have much to improve on for the next one. I might actually do some strength and conditioning and not move across the world a couple of weeks before.”

“I might also even get a coach instead of making it up as I go,” he smiled

As for the bigger picture, Luke does not know when he will return to Britain.

He might come back in one or two years or stay for good.

The running doctor intends seeing how it goes.