Big Road Race Entry

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31551, 13 December 1967, Page 23

Big Road Race Entry

A record entry of more than 40 runners has been received for the annual “Rangiora 20” road race which will begin in Papanui road at 5.45 this evening. Most leading Canterbury road runners, including W. K. Kennedy (Christchurch), winner of the 20-mile race in the record time of Ihr 49min 2.4 sec last season, will line up. Although he has not competed regularly this season, Kennedy must start as a slight favourite—but the young Timaru runner, P. L. Gray, has an excellent chance of taking [major honours. Gray sur-

prised earlier this season! when he won the Marist open I marathon in 2hr 25min. | In that race he went through the 20-mile mark in Ihr 51min: he has only to set himself a pace slightly faster than in the marathon to be a major contender. On recent form, D. J. Reece (Olympic) could also be a ' threat to Kennedy. This race is rather longer than those in which he usually excels, but ’ he is a runner of vast expert- ! ence. His brother, C. F. Reece 1 (St Martins), a specialist . long-distance road runner, has • also entered. , The two Canterbury repret sentatives in the recent tri- ■ angular contest against Souths land and Otago at Invercar- ; gill, A. Evans and D. Greig - (both Technical), should fin-

ish well. Greig was third and Evans fifth in the 15-mile event at the inter-provincial meeting. Not much has been seen this season of G. Clarke (Olympic), holder of the “king of the mountains” title, and his performance this evening could give a good indication of what to expect later. Other top competitors include R. McMillan (Timaru), D. Cameron (Marist), W. Hobbs (Olympic) and the fast-improving St Martins runner, T. Ellis.

The race, sponsored by the Rangiora Businessmen’s Association, will finish in the Rangiora Domain. It is part of the Rangiora Festival week celebrations. A declared handicap contest will be incorporated.