SEEKING 6TH WIN

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30667, 5 February 1965, Page 13

SEEKING 6TH WIN

Macdonald’s Quest [By Our Athletic! Reporter] It seems unlikely that anyone will be able to match the 30-year-old Riccarton athlete, J. D. Macdonald, in the Canterbury 3000 metres steeplechase championship on Saturday. In spite of a fairly strong entry, the main interest will probably centre around Macdonald’s bid to better the provincial standard of fimin 15sec. Macdonald has now won the title five times, three in succession, and holds the best time recorded in Canterbury —9min 38.8 sec. This time was set nearly five years ago. but Macdonald has shown no signs of deterioration. This season he has been concentrating on the mile as well as the steeplechase, which may have improved his basic speed. However, his chances of beating the elusive standard are relatively slim and depend greatly on the ability of the rest of the field to apply some pressure, at least for three-quarters of the distance. Rangiora’s barefooted runner, B. Dyer, who won the junior title last season, has shown a lot of ability in his first season as a senior. His easy flowing style could easily bring him home in a place. R. Allen (High School Old Boys) is another entered in the senior field and he could help maintain a fast pace. And then there is the possible entry of E. Gray (Greymouth), a national crosscountry trialist. If he starts, he could be the one to push Macdonald. With the entry of H. Neeso In the junior championship, Riccarton has a fine chance of completing the double. Neeson, who currently holds the record at 9min 43.8 sec, starts as a strong favourite. Last year he was narrowly beaten by Dyer, but is now more than lOsec faster over the distance.