Soldiers Fail In Record Bid

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30626, 17 December 1964, Page 9

Soldiers Fail In Record Bid

(New Zealand Press Association)

AUCKLAND, Dec. 15. The 100-mile record march bid by the six-soldier team of the First Infantry Brigade Group Signal Squadron, Auckland, failed by Imin 50sec when Corporal R. Kiwikiwi crossed the finishing line just after 10.56 a.m. today. While waiting for the time to be confirmed, the senior officer of the unit, Captain W. N. McKewan, said: “We will be training for another attempt next year.” Captain McKewan was in radio contact with the finishing line from headquarters at Sylvia Park, when the report came through. “This year’s attempt came after training for the physical efficiency test, which calls for a 10-mile march,” he said. “We will have additional training for the next attempt.” Only two soldiers completed the course, which started 10 miles from Thames early on Monday morning. Lance-Corporal Anthony F.

Robinson was some way behind Corporal Kiwikiwi at the end of the attempt to break the record of 31 hours 50 minutes, claimed by the First Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment. By radio from Thames, Corporal Kiwikiwi said: “I’m feeling alright. I’d like to have another go some time.” But Lance-Corporal Robinson said: “I’m O.K. but don’t feel like doing it again.” At midnight, Corporal Kiwikiwi and Lance-Corporal Robinson were the only members of the original team of six still going, and they were well ahead of time. With 29 miles to go, it looked as if they would finish at least three hours inside the record. But during the night, tired and footsore, they slackened the pace.