ATHLETICS

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27859, 6 January 1956, Page 5

ATHLETICS

ANNUAL TAURANGA RACE NOEL TAYLOR WINS IN RECORD TIME (New Zealand Press Association) TAURANGA, January 5. A former Empire Games runner, Noel Taylor, bettered his fine record in the annual race to the top of the Mount when the race was run by the Mount Maunganui Amateur Athletic Club as part of the 5000 Club’s carnival programme. Taylor won easily and reduced his time of last year, 20min 56sec, to 20min 33 2-5 sec, to establish a fresh record. The race is held from Coronation Park to the top of the Mount and back, a distance of about three miles. Taylor has started in the race six times for six wins. Last year he gave the Mellish Cup, which he won outright in the 1948-49 season, back for annual competition. Each time he has started he has bettered his previous tirpe. LANDY RETURNS TO FORM 880 YD RACE WITH WORLD CHAMPION (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) MELBOURNE, January 5. The world champion miler, John Landy. made a striking return to competitive running yesterday after 13 months’ retirement to stage a magnificent 880yds race with the world record-holder, Lon Spurrier (United States), at Olympic Park. Landy led Spurrier until about a yard from the line, when Spurrier kicked past to win by inches. The time was Imin 51.8 sec for both runners. The race was run at a twilight meeting in cold weather between showers on a sodden cinder track. Both Landy and Spurrier said the track, which was cut up .badly by rain, slowed the race by more than Isec. Spurrier said he had hoped to better Imin 49sec, but leg soreness, the track, and the cold weather conditions were against him. Landy said the time was very good. “I feel I have a very good chance of getting back to top form. I am very fit and strong and recovered quickly after the race. I will run in a mile event later this month,” he said.