Power returns

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32005, 4 June 1969, Page 11

Power returns

The Timaru distance runner, J. T. Power, made a remarkable comeback to competition when he took fastest time in the Anglican harrier relay last Saturday after being absent from competition in athletics and harriers since the beginning of the year. Power, who is a land valuer, gave up competitive running indefinitely before the Canterbury championships in February because his work did not allow him sufficient time to train, and he did not want to run when only half fit. But now he is back with a vengeance. He began training in April and has been running 40 miles a week in training, and hopes to be back in top form for the athletics season in the summer.

“I may not run in harriers unless I am fully fit,” he said after his run on Saturday, “but I will certainly be competing in athletics, fit or not, al-

though I would like to be fully fit then.” He brought Timaru into third fastest time with his tremendous run on Saturday, and beat R. Robinson (University), who took second fastest time. Although several of the best harriers in Canterbury were not competing, his win over Robinson showed that Power has already reached excellent form in his first race. Robinson, with J. D. Macdonald (Olympic), has been recording the fastest time in most of the races this season.

Another runner who was expected to make his first appearance in harriers for the season was K. Hamilton (Technical), but because the Technical team withdrew when A. Gilmour was injured, Hamilton was unable to run. However, he is fully fit, and will compete in most of the remaining events this season. Gilmour strained a leg muscle while weight training last week.