OWAIRAKA MARATHON

Press, Volume C, Issue 29687, 4 December 1961, Page 7

OWAIRAKA MARATHON

I. Keats Beats M. G. Halberg (R.Z. Press Association) AUCKLAND, Dec. 2. Despite strength-sapping heat during the second of the four 61-mile laps, 27 of the field of 40 runners bettered the national standard by finishing inside 3hr 15min in the Awairaka Athletic Club’s annual marathon on Saturday. More than half the runners bettered their personal best marathon times, or were running their first races over the distance. The winner was a former Christchurch runner, I. Keats, in 2hr 26min Isec. He beat the Olympic runner, M. G. Halberg, who recorded 2hr 28min 43sec. Keats ran at blistering speed over the first five miles, gained a 2mm break on the field, and held it all the way. despite one effort at 21 miles by Halberg. to catch him. Halberg’s father, “Jock" Halberg. who is 58. ran his first marathon race, finishing in 3hr 53rmn 59sec. He fell over the road kerbing at one stage, hurting his hip, and was slowed to a walk more than once, but finished with a triumphant smile. A. L. Lydiard. the well-known coach, who uses marathon-train-ing methods with his athletes, finished twenty-ninth, in 3hr 21min. The former New Zealand Olympic miler, N. I. Scott, retired after running in second place during the first lap. Detailed Results 1. Keats (Western Suburbs). 2hr 26min Isec .. I M. Halberg (Owairaka) 2hr 28m in 43sec .. 2 M. Hellier (Lynndale). 2hr 31min 46sec .. ... 3 R. Chase (Lynndale), 2hr 33 min 59sec, 4; P. Rae (University), 2hr 35min 24sec, 5; J Robinson Awairaka) 2hr 37min 12sec, 6; G. Parker (Lynndale), 2hr 38min Bsec. 7.; A. Parkinson (Kiwi). 2hr 38m in 18sec. 8: P. Hitchen (Awairaka). 2hr 39 min 33sec, 9: L. Mihaljevtch (Kiwi). 2hr 40min Msec 10; P G. Snell (Awairaka). 2hr 41min. 11; Q. Osborne (Kiwi) 2hr 41 min 2»sec, 12. Handicap.—Osborne (27mln>. 1; Parkinson (22min) 2: Halberg (12min), 3; Hellier (14min), 4: Keats (Bmin). 5: K Torrey (Onehunga) (42min), 6; D. Goss (Owairaka) (32min). 7; Rae (16 min). 8; R. Grogan (Awairaka) (22min). 9; Parker (17min), 10.