Ryan-Maguire Clash Today In Skellerup Steeples

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31416, 8 July 1967, Page 11

Ryan-Maguire Clash Today In Skellerup Steeples

rjHE clash between Waikato’s international marathon runner, M. Ryan, and the leading Auckland harrier, E. Maguire, promises to be the highlight of the six-mile Kennett Cup race to be held at Queen Elizabeth II Park this afternoon during the sponsored Skellerup Steeplechase meeting.

The two rivals raced side by side over a five and a half-mile course in the Cambridge relays last Saturday and nothing separated them at the finish. Today’s individual event could be just as close, although this time a winner will be found.

Maguire has won two major races in Auckland this season, his best race being against Waikato when he defeated Ryan in record time. Ryan expressed an intention to gain a better place than his fourth placing in the race two years ago. But these two are not the only strong candidates for major honours.

Another Auckland runner, L. Walker, who was third in

the nationals last year, Is just coming into form and could provide a surprise. Last week he defeated Waikato harrier, W. Sutcliffe, who is also running in the Kennett Cup. The Wellington international harrier, B. Everitt, has not had a very successful season so far. Last week

he was beaten for the third time. B. Jones, the former Canterbury track representative, who inflicted one of the defeats on Everitt, should gain a place, although he is concentrating on track work at present. The evergreen, P. Sidon, of Otago, who has been run-

ning well this season, could also provide strong opposition. He has won the event many times and was third last year. He has been the only dominant figure in Otago cross-country races this season as R. P. Welsh is concentrating on university studies. An addition to the Waikato runners, all from the Tokoroa club, is former Otago athlete, L. McKendrick. An interesting point is that four competitors are provincial six-mile track champions. J. Robinson is the Waikato champion, McKendrick won the Otago six miles title, Everitt won the Wellington event, and W. Kennedy is the Canterbury champion. Another feature is that four have run a mile faster than 4min ssec—D. Sirl, E. Maguire, I. Studd, and Ryan.

With the absence of J. Power (Timaru) and E. Gray (Greymouth), Canterbury’s main hope is W. Kennedy. He ran well in the Jane Patterson event two weeks ago, and showed a great deal of strength. In spite of his form, the invited runners will be too strong, and he will be doing well to gain better than seventh place. In the junior event, last year’s winner, J. Campbell (Otago), is competing, and, on present form will be hard to beat. Technical runner, W. Lambert, should be the first local runner home. Miss S. Potts, also from Dunedin, has been racing well, and should provide Miss L. Fisher (Ladies’ Pioneer) with strong competition. Senior team honours should go to the strong Tokoroa cltib. A great number of Otago clubs have entered the lower grades, and Mornington should win the junior teams title. The meeting has attracted a total of 383 entries.