Athletics MARATHON RECORD

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28981, 24 August 1959, Page 15

Athletics MARATHON RECORD

Baillie And Julian

(Neto Zealand Press Association)

AUCKLAND. August 23.

W. D. Baillie (Lynndale) and J. Julian (Owairaka) yesterday covered the 26 miles and a quarter Auckland marathon course in less than 2hr 21min. Baillie’s winning time was 2hr 20min 13sec and Julian was clocked at 2hr 20min 34sec.

These are two of the fastest times ever recorded on a genuine out-and-home marathon course in the world. Their finishing times were nearly three minutes under the best Olympic time held by E. Zatopek, of Czechoslovakia. Most of the top overseas marathon times have been made on one-way courses where the runners usually have the advantage of the breeze. The race was held to select the Auckland representative for the world classic marathon at Athens in October. Baillie and Julian were obviouslv determined to race against each other from the start. No more than a yard separated them through the five. 10 and 15-mile checks in the astonishing times of 26min 20sec, 52min 53sec, and Ihr 19min 16sec. On the strenght of his performance. Baillie won selection for the Athens race. However, Auckland harrier officials were so delighted with the performance of Julian that they hope to raise enough finance to send him to Greece as well.