Greatest Line-Up For Clarke

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31076, 3 June 1966, Page 11

Greatest Line-Up For Clarke

(N.Z. P.4. -Reuier—-Copv right) LONDON. The Australian champion distance runner, R. G. Clarke, Will have a tremendous international support ing cast when he attempts to regain the world 5000 metres record at Crystal Palace, London, on June 22. Among those who have ac cepted invitations to take pari

are: M. Wiggs (Britain), G. Roelants (Belgium), K- Sawaki (Japan), L. Mescer (Hungary). A Cook (Australia), G. North and D. Graham Britain). Wiggs, holder of the British resident record, decided to run after previously saying that he would not compete again until the British championships in July. Wiggs provided Clarke with one of his toughest races on the Australian’s sensational tour of the United States and Europe last year, when he broke four world records.

After being routed by Clarke in the 1965 British championships, Wiggs followed him to Paris, and chased him with a run which earned Clarke’s admiration. The prospect of yet another duel against the Australian has persuaded Wiggs to break his present rigorous training programme and return to competition more than two weeks ahead of schedule. Roelants is the Olympic steeplechase champion, who broke the European 10,000 metres record last yew: Sawaki is Japan’s 5000 metres champion; Mescer ran bril-

liantly in the invitation 3000 metres in the British Games. It is certainly the finest 5000 metres field assembled in Britain, and providing the conditions are right, the world record should change hands again. It belonged to Clarke, at 13min 25.8 sec, until last November, when K. Keino, of Kenya, lowered it to 13min 24.25ec at Auckland.

Another world record assault will be made In the 4 x 880 yards relay which features teams from Western Germany, Ireland, Belgium, Russia and Britain.