D. Dixey Sets Record In First Marathon

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32117, 13 October 1969, Page 10

D. Dixey Sets Record In First Marathon

(Methodist) produced one of the finest perform- * ances of his long running career on Saturday to win the Marist « open marathon in the outstanding time of 2hr 24min 57sec. This ■ was almost a minute faster than the race record.

It was his first attempt at the full marathon distance of 26 miles 385 yards.

He took over the lead soon after the 10-mile mark and, running well within himself, never looked like being headed. At the finish in Rugby Park he was well clear of the second runner, D. McAllister (Olympic), a 25-year-old Army serviceman stationed at Bumham. The third finisher was the former national tennis representative, J. Souter (South Canterbury), who seemed set for the runner-up position until McAlUster caught him In the dying stages of the race.

McAllister’s time was 2hr 32min 6sec; Souter’s, 2hr 33min 25sec. W. Kennedy (Christchurch) was fourth and P. Gray (South Canterbury), who set the race record of 2hr 25min 56sec when he won two years ago, was fifth.

Worthy of special mention was the fine performance of T. H. Bain (Christchurch), who will be 57 in a few weeks. He realised a long-held ambition to break three hours for the event when he crossed the finishing line in 2hr 58min 50sec for eighteenth place. This was close to the world record for a man of more than 50.

Another veteran (over 40), F. Sharpe (Marist), won the cup for being the first member of his club to finish. His time of 3hr 4min 50sec was his best. L. E. Fox (Olympic), a former Commonwealth Games marathon runner, also finished the course. Fox, who is looking forward to his fiftyseventh birthday, was thirtythird but of 68 starters in 3hr 40min 3sec. However, the main honours were reserved for Dixey who is now 30. He was remarkably fresh at the finish of the race, which he had used purely to test himself out over longer distances than he was used to. "I have never raced in anything longer than 10 or 12 miles before—wait a minute, I think I did once run 15 miles when I was a junior," he recalled. He said he had done no distance training for the event at all and was extremely satisfied with his performance. He now intends to concentrate on longdistance road running at the expense of the track. "I will certainly have to have a go at the Canterbury marathon championship now,” he said. Dixey’s time was faster than that of N. Reid who won the Canterbury title last season. The second-place runner, McAllister, had not competed in a marathon before, either, but his, success did not prompt him to change his emphasis from the track to the road. He still intends to race in the mile and three miles, or their metric equivalents, this season. This is his first season in Canterbury. He had done most of his competitive running in Otago. Sixty-six runners faced the starter in the event—the largest open race organised by a 1 club In the South Island—and it 1 was not long before A. Bayard 1 (Christchurch) was out in front ' setting a pace which appeared beyond his capabilities. At 13 • miles he retired and Dixey was ' left out in front with J. Shed- , dan. Souter and Gray strung J out behind. Dixey went through the 13- ’ mile mark in Ihr 22min 30sec. Shed dan was almost a minute behind but still well clear of Souter and Gray, who were fun- , ning together. At this point Me- . Allister was only sixth in Ihr 28min 30see. The 20-mile mark was passed by Dixey in Ihr 49mm 38sec— < almost 7min faster than the j winning time for the 20-mile ( Christchurch to Rangiora road i race last season. Sheddan’s i time was Ihr S4min llsec. and i although he was still second, 20sec ahead of Souter, he de- i elded to retire. "My legs just ! went dead." he said? S

This left Souter In second place with Gray and McAllister third equal. In the last six miles McAllister left Gray and passed Souter to unexpectedly take second place. He could, nevertheless, make no impression on Dixey. Kennedy, one of the race favourite®, set himself a very easy pace at the start. He was 13th af ter M miles and eighth at lo miles. But over the last 10 miles he made up a lot of ground to finisji fourth.

Nineteen runners finished the 4 course in less than 3hrs. Results were:— < D. Dixey (Methodist). 2:24:57, * McAllister (Olympic), * 2:32,6, 2j J. Souter (Sputh Can- * terbury), 2:33:25, 3; W. Ken- * nedy (Christchurch). 2:37:28, 4; * P. Gray (South Canterbury), J 2:38:32, 5; B. Catterm ole (Christ- / church), 2:38:47, 4: R. McMillan * (South Canterbury), 2:43:55, 7; Matson (Christchurch), 2:45:46, 8; M. Campbell (Olympic). 2:44:1, »; V. Sykes (Christchurch), 2:46:44, 10. V Team Section:—South Canterbury (Souter, Gray, McMillan) 1. Christchurch (Kennedy, Cat- 5 termole, Matson) 2, Olympic f (McASllßter, Campbell, R. Yardley) 3.