“Iron Man’s” Magnificent Run

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30219, 26 August 1963, Page 13

“Iron Man’s” Magnificent Run

(N.Z. Press Association) • AUCKLAND, August 25. W. D. BaUlie, the “iron man” of New Zealand athletics, shattered the world 20,000 metres and one-honr run records in magnificent fashion on Saturday. Twelve runners—six Auckers and six Japanese—set out to maintain the 4min 48sec miles necessary for a world time. They covered the first four miles at the prescribed rate, each New Zealand man taking his turn in the lead and the Japanese tucked in behind. But at five miles, surprisingly early. J. L. Julian left—and N. I. Scott was seen to be struggling. They passed six miles In 28mln 52sec, two seconds to the good. This was already several seconds faster than R. L. Puckett’s best six-mlle time. Puckett Sets Pace Then Puckett took the lead and kept it for 13 laps. The pace reduced the leading bunch to four—Puckett, the Japanese, K. Watanebe and K. Tsuburaya, and Baillie. Julian, being lapped, settled alongside for awhile, but was soon lost again. The Japanese manager was finally asked by an official to ask his runners to “take a lap." A message was shouted and Puckett was passed by

Tsuburaya, and left, with Baillie running behind.

Coming down the straight, approaching the 10 miles, Baillie was exhorted to claim the certain New Zealand 10-mile record. He needed no telling.

He swung very wide of the Japanese, stared behind steadfastly to ensure they were not challenging him, and went through the tape smiling. His own New Zealand record of 49mln 57sec had been hacked down to 48min 9sec—and he was exactly on schedule for world records.

As he went on the smile vanished and be began to open up. The crowd of 2000 began to roar. The Japanese men faded.

He ran this lap In 68sec, and kept on. A blackboard which showed the progress of his deficit and an advantage, proceded to read: plus 3, plus 6 plus 8. plus 9. He had swept through the eleventh mile in 4min 40sec, and was running surely. Julian, lapped again, stayed briefly at his shoulder and then fell back. The same happened to Magee. The Last Mlle Baillie started running each lap in exactly 70sec. The blackboard for the last mile was reading: plus 12, plus 14, plus 16. plus 18. He burst through the tape at 20,000 metres, and galloping on, virtually ran a final 220 In an even 30sec until stopped on the hour by a firing gun. He ambled off the track with his hands on his hips and incredulous smile on his face. Second to the hour was Tsuburaya, also bettering the old one-hour record and just getting Inside the 20.000 metres time, and third was Puckett. Times:—

20.000 metres (world record 59min 51.8 sec): Baillie, 59mln 28.6 sec, 1; Tsuburaya, 59mln 51.4 sec, 2. One hour (world record 12 miles 809 yards): Balllie, 12 miles 960 yards 7inches, 1; Tsuburaya, 12 miles 843 yards, 2; Puckett, 12 miles 630 yards, 3: Watanabe, 12 miles 513 yards, 4; Magee, 12 miles 318 yards, 5.