10-MILE ROAD RACE

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30095, 1 April 1963, Page 10

10-MILE ROAD RACE

Turner Wins; Title To Hobbs The winner of the Canterbury 10-mile road running championship on Saturday, B. Turner, will not officially hold the title. Turner was a late entry and the title will be held by the second man, W. L. Hobbs. Finishing strongly after a steady race, Hobbs came through to second pliace in the closing stages, overhauling a 40sec break to T. Preece in the last two miles. Added interest was expected to be given the race by the appearance of the Welsh Empire Games representative, T. Lansdown, but he had to retire after the first mile because of a muscle injury sustained earler in toe week. The titls-boiider, R. J. Stevens, did not start because of tack of fitness, and the marathon champion, G. T. Wilson, apparently held hunself for the 50-mile race this Saturday. Strong wind took its toll, and in the circumstances it was excellent running for seven competitors to gain the Canterbury Road Runnners’ Association A grade standard time. Twenty of the 26 starters completed the distance inside the hour. The Reece brothers, Cliarrie and Doug, and D. Lavender were early leaders. After two miles Turner and Preece broke away from the leading bunch to open a break of sQsec by six miles. Making up ground into the bead wind, Hobbs caught Preece with half a mile to go and burst away in the last 300 yards. Results:— B. Turner Shirley), 52:55, 1; W. L. Hobbs (Technical), 53:11, 2; T. Preece (Technical), 53:17, 3; W. K. Kennedy (Christchurch), 53:19, 4; J. Dorsett (Wellington), 54:51, 5; C. F. Reece (Technical), 54:55, 6; D. Lavender (Presbyterian), 54:56, 7; M. Smith, 56:45. 8; J. Blakely (University), 56:58, 9; R. Perry (Christchurch), 57:09, 10.