Long-Distance Runner Was Inconspicuous

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30632, 24 December 1964, Page 13

Long-Distance Runner Was Inconspicuous

"The Press" Special Service AUCKLAND, December 23. “Where’s this fellow who’s running to Wellington?” people asked Mr A. L. Lydiard, who was manager for D. Stephenson’s run to Wellington last week. “Beside me,” said Mr Lydiard. “But he doesn’t look any different to anyone else!” came the reply.

This was a scene which Mr Lydiard says was typical of many on the 61-day journey with which Stephenson broke the record that M. Telford had bettered the previous week.

“You just couldn’t pick him out in a room full of people after he’d had a shower,” said Mr Lydiard. “And he

always ate a big meal. “He was never irritable or depressed during the run. The only time he seemed to be obviously tired was on the last day, and that was mainly because he’d slept poorly the night before. “Often each day he’d reach his goal of 60 miles and then suggest doing a few more.

I’m sure he could have run the journey at a faster pace." Mr Lydiard was so surprised and impressed with the comfortable manner in which Stephenson achieved his object that he wants to organise a regular race for the distance, with prescribed stages each day. “It would create a lot of interest,” said Mr Lydiard, “if we invited one or two of the really great long distance runners from other countries.”

M. Telford, the Scotsman who improved the AucklandWellington record in the middle of a run from Cape Reinga the previous week, was also surprised at how comfortably he completed the journey.

The mental boredom was a greater strain possibly than the physical toll, said Telford, though he found the inspirational countryside and also well-wishers along the way a great aid. There is one difference between the two men, however.

Stephenson, a schooltacher studying languages and at present engaged in his other great interest of mountaineer-, ing, is fascinated by long distance running as an end within itself.

Telford, on the other hand —and like the first AucklandWellington runner, J. Young —regards the island run as insignificant to running a first-class marathon.

“That would be my great ambition now,” said Telford, “that I could run a really fast marathon and become good enough to represent my adopted country.”