the 1990 Commonwealth Games in New Zealand, has just completed for the second successive year a 42-mile ultra-marathon in that country, finishing second in a time of six hours and six seconds.

But she narrowly failed to repeat her success last year when, on her debut, she won in five hours and 55 minutes.

The unusually long race was held in Kepler on December 10. Mewett had been invited back after her victory a year ago.

The seven-time May 24 Marathon Derby champion learned of the event while visiting New Zealand a few years ago and friends urged her to compete last year for the first time.

Not nearly as active as she has been in previous years, the low profile runner said yesterday she would probably return to make a third appearance next year.

"I probably will, but aside from that I don't have any real long-term plans for running,'' she added.

Sandra Mewett