Good Time Put Up By Relay Veterans

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30855, 14 September 1965, Page 19

Good Time Put Up By Relay Veterans

“The good time recorded by a team of veteran runners in the Takahe-Akaroa relay race on Saturday provided a valuable object lesson for older men who are interested in the idea of avoiding heart attacks,” says a Christchurch doctor who is an executive member

of the Canterbury Sports Medicine Association.

The team, averaging oyer 50 years of age and including one runner aged 59, ran the race in shr 38min to come second in the C grade section of the race. All finished their six-mile laps, including hills, fit and undistressed. They ran at

slightly better than a sevenminute mile pace. “There is no doubt men over 35 should be told more about the value of running as an exercise to prevent heart attacks and should be given every encouragement to take part in this form of sport,” said the doctor. “The performance of this team on Saturday would have been unheard of 20 years ago. Much medical thinking is being now revised on the subject of running as an exercise for older men. “Dr. Danie Craven summed up the position when he said distance running and climbing give the older man the best chance of avoiding heart stXflcks.” But said the doctor the exercise must be attempted gradually. “The secret is gentle daily running.”