8.30a.m. Marathon Start “Ridiculous”

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30365, 14 February 1964, Page 6

8.30a.m. Marathon Start “Ridiculous”

The decision to start the New Zealand marathon championship at Lower Hutt at 8.30 a.m. was described as “absolutely ridiculous” by Mr W. L. Hobbs at a meeting of the Canterbury Athletic Centre last evening. It was decided to send telegrams asking all other associations with representatives in the marathon to press for a 'later starting time- The president (Mr J. E. Millar) and Mr Hobbs were authorised to approach the president of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association (Mr J, K. Austad) on the matter.

Mr Hobbs said that the 8.30 a.m. start would mean that marathon runners would have to rise by 5 a.m. to have breakfast, travel to the Hutt and warm up for the race. “It seems that Wellington has planned this early start to avoid the drink and the drivers in the afternoon. “If Wellington cannot handle the marathon properly then I suggest that Canterbury, even at this late date, should apply to hold it here,” said Mr Hobbs. Mr Millar said that would not be possible as the meet-

ing had already been granted to Wellington. Mrj K- S. Jameson said that if heat or atmospheric conditions were the problem, then the race could be started late in the day, not at breakfast time. Hotels Not Used

The failure of eight members of the Westport club to use the hotel accommodataion provided for them tor the Canterbury athletic championships was criticised. The secretary (Mr I- D. Teague i said that the Westport club had asked for hotel accommodation rather than billets. On the recommendation of Mr Millar it was decided to write to the Westport club expressing the association's concern, and to the hotel licensee apologising for any inconvenience caused to him. Mr A. Mi Harbutt was nominated for the position of manager for the the New Zealand Olympic team at Tokyo this year.

Not Changing.—The Wimbledon champion, C. McKinley, still has no intention of turning professional, and believes amateur tennis has a great future in the United States, Associated Press reported.