WEATHER BLAMED

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30286, 12 November 1963, Page 10

WEATHER BLAMED

650-Mile Run Abandoned fjf.z. Press Association) TAUMARUNUI. Nov 10 The New Zealand marathon runner. R. Puckett, battling against atrocious weather conditions and with a lame left foot, abandoned his attempt to run from Auckland to Wellington (650 miles) on Saturday, tie stopped 20 miles beyond Te Kuiti. Puckett left Otorohanga at 8.30 a.m. on Saturday morning and when the pam in his left foot became unbearable he was driven to Taumarunui by the athletics coach, Mr A. L. I.ydiard. Mr Lydiard said today that Puckett liad to give up because of strain and a muscle injury under the arch of his I left foot. ■ He bad to contend with gale winds tor 12 hours and i tills had put a severe strain on his left toot. It was the weather which beat him. Puckett, a slim, young runner. who looked remarkably fit and fresh, said he was not I physically distressed by the ; run but he could not have ! imagined worse running con- ' ditions. He was certain the run from Auckland to Wellington i could be accomplished withi out any trouble, provided the | weather conditions were favourable. He was prepared to make a second attempt. At one stage of the run the wind was so strong lie had hung on to the clothing of two runners who accomI panied him in order to save ! himself from being blown I over.