ALL-WEATHER TRACK URGENTLY NEEDED

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31597, 7 February 1968, Page 11

ALL-WEATHER TRACK URGENTLY NEEDED

*pHE urgent need for an all-weather track In Christchurch was never more obvious than in the Dorrie Leslie Memorial Cup meeting between Canterbury and Wellington on the soggy grass surface at Rugby Park last Saturday. Heavy rain threatened to force officials to cancel the meeting and the considerable financial loss the Canterbury Athletic Association might then have made in bringing out the remarkable Australian, R. W. Clarke, would certainly have deterred it from taking any further risks.

Fortunately, conditions were not so bad that the meeting had to be cancelled, and financial disaster was averted. However, few officials had anything very nice to say about the Christchurch City Council, which has still not made any start on the proposed all-weather track, now to be at Kerr’s Reach. And the athletes were not very happy, either. Here was a wonderful opportunity for Clarke to break the four-minute mile for the first time. But the rain ruled out any chance of this and an opportunity for some world-wide publicity for Christchurch, and the sport, was lost. On an all-weather track, the rain would not have mattered greatly and Clarke would have been sure to break the barrier. He certainly felt that his form was good enough to do so.

On the spongy track Clarke turned on a wonderful performance to win in 4min 7.7 sec, but the fact that he failed to break even the Canterbury record was something of a disappointment

The Canterbury Athletic Centre takes a grave financial risk in bringing out overseas athletes. Without the assurance of an allweather track it will probably think twice before it does so again. It would be a great pity if Canterbury was not to have regular overseas competitors, for they provide the stimulation which local athletes need to bring out their best.

The lack of a satisfactory track surface also prevented the Greymouth runner, E. Gray, from taking a very firm step towards Olympic selection in the 5000 metres. His win over Wellington’s B. Rose in the three miles

was an outstanding achievement His surging completely demoralised Rose, one of the main contenders for the Olympic team as a 5000 metres runner. But although Gray was well ahead at the finish his time of 13min 50.6 sec was not outstandingly fast. The tremendous tactical race he ran was the outstanding feature, but the New Zealand selectors were not there to see it. All they are interested in is times.

The fact that Gray’s time was an excellent one in such conditions will matter little when the final selections are made. Had the race been run on an all-weather track Gray might have clipped almost half a minute off this time, and that would have virtually assured him of a ticket to Mexico.

His fine win at least showed that he would be a very strong contender for the Olympic team. His strength, determination and understanding of race tactics should soon label him as one of New Zealand’s outstanding middle distance runiiers.

One of the surprises of the meeting was the form shown by M. Clarkson in the half-mile. He began his sprint 220 yards from the finish and took the field completely by surprise. His Imin 55.45ec was a good time in the soggy conditions and indicated that he has the strength to win the Canterbury title on Satur* day if he gets similar con* ditions.

G. McKechnie (University) was obviously watchi ing T. McGillivray (Toe H), who had beaten him over 800 metres the week before, and by the time he set off after Clarkson it was too late. He came home second, well behind, and McGilliv* ray faded to fourth. R. Tweedie, formerly of Canterbury, took third place for Wellington.

In the women’s field events Miss V. Gilmour showed that she was approaching top form with a win in the long jump. Her best leap of 18ft 9jin was outstanding in the conditions and an indication that she could, with only slight improvement, be a strong contender for the national title this season. Consistent jumping in excess of 19ft is clearly within her capabilities.