Mackenzie Loses Title And Breaks Record

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30681, 22 February 1965, Page 10

Mackenzie Loses Title And Breaks Record

A fraction of an inch separated A. G. Steel (High School Old Boys) and D. W. Mackenzie (University) as they flung themselves across the finishing line in the senior 1(M) yards final during the final session of the Canterbury athletic championships at Rugby Park on Saturday.

Racing into a strong head) wind, both were credited with 10.2 sec but the judges deci-| ded in favour of Steel and: the current New Zealand sprint champion lost his second Canterbury title in eight days to his great rival. K. Simpson (Toe H) was third, only a tenth of a second behind Mackenzie. However, it was Mackenzie, suffering from the after effects of a minor leg injury which prevented him training at a vital period of his build up.. who finally had the last say. He made an exceptionally fast start in the open 440 yards final and after grimly overcoming a strong challenge by Steel at the 300 yd mark streaked across the line to win in record time. The watches were stopped at 48.2 sec. half a second better than the old record of 48.7 sec set by G. Hack in 1961. This was an amazing performance when it is considered that Mackenzie had already run the 100 yd heats and final and the 440 yd heats earlier in the day. Steel’s performance was also one of his best ever in

the 440 yards. He finished a close second in 48.8 sec.

Clot* Junior Race There was another close finish in the junior 100 yards final. A. Tweedie (High School Old Boys) and 11. McLean <Toc H) went through the tape together in 10.6scc to provide the Judges with another difficult task. Tweedie was announced as the winner and his club gained the junior-senior sprint double. The Canterbury women’s 100 yard champion. L. Hurrcll (Technical), had to be content with second place to J. Rose (Geraldine), in the 75 yards championship final. There was nothing in it at the finish once again out Hurrell was credited with a time a tenth of a second slower than the winner.

Later in the programme. Hurrell displayed her staying ability over 220 yards when she just managed to bold off M. A. M. Stephen (Technical), the record-holder. Hurrell shot to the front at the gun but with 100 yards to go Stephen gradually began to overhaul her. Her lead shortened from five yards to two feet over the last 80 yards and she Just managed to scramble over the line in front. Hurrell’s time was 25.65ec and Stephen’s 25.75ec. Over the equivalent of her Olympic distance, the SRO yards, Stephen was out on her own from the gun. Unfortunately, the strong wind prevented her approaching her provincial record of 2mln 7.9 sec. Her time was 2mln 15.1 sec. Canterbury’s other woman

Olympic representative. V 1 Young, was also in good form. She comfortably retained her discus title with an excellent throw of 167 ft SJin. defeated the defending champion In the high jump. L. Curtis, on a count-back when both failed at sft Sin. and took second place in the SO metres hurdles behind B. Poulsen (Technical). The Utle and record holder In the latter event. L. Wilson, was unable to produce her best form and finished third in 13sec. exactly l.Ssec slower than her winning time last season