Training By Elliott

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28802, 24 January 1959, Page 5

Training By Elliott

The _ achievements of the Australian miler, Herb Elliott, are well-known to all by now, but if his recent time over the Hall circuit at Portsea, 60 miles south of Melbourne, the training ground of Percy Cerutty, is any indication, then it is certain that the athletics world can expect oven greater performances Ulis year. The track, a most unusual one by orthodox standards, is slightly more than a mile, and comprises sand dunes as well as many other unusual features. When Elliott covered this track in smin 37sec last year it was almost 15 seconds faster than John Landy’s time for the distance. The critics were amazed, naturally, and all sorts of wonderful things were perdicted for Elliott. Landy probably had his reasons for doing a considerably slower time than Elliott. Landy’s approach to running was entirely different, for although they both trained under Cerutty their methods of achieving the same end were contrasting. Nonetheless, Elliott’s time was a good one; but recently he did a much better one, and clipped almost 6.1 sec off his former best. This time of smin 30.9 sec will give an idea of what Elliott is capable of doing.