New Courses Suggested For Marathon Race

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32321, 12 June 1970, Page 12

New Courses Suggested For Marathon Race

The possible courses for next year’s provincial marathon championship will be investigated by a special subcommittee which was appointed by the Canterbury Atheltic Centre executive last evening. There was considerable disagreement among members on the form the event should take in the future.

Mr E. Lunn said that it would have to be over a block course as traffic difficulties resulted from the out-and-back course previously used. Mrs D. B. Jameson, said that to avoid traffic problems, the marathon might have to be taken into country areas, such as Darfield or Cust.

Mr W. A. Kennedy, himself a former marathon runner, argued that runners disliked being taken out of town. He considered a five-mile course suitable, and regarded a suggestion that this would be monotonous running, as •’piffle.” He would like to see the race pass through Rugby Park on three or four occasions, enabling spectators to remain in the park and thus reduce the traffic hazards. Both Mr F. A. Stevens and Mr J. C. Harbut agreed that

the race should be moved away from Rugby Park as there were too many arterial roads encircling it, and Mr Stevens opposed the course suggested by Mr Kennedy on the grounds ofmonotony and proposed a home-and-back course in the Lincoln or Tai Tapu areas. The Canterbury Road Runners’ Association’s delegate, Mr B. F. Lewis, said that 80 per cent of the marathon runners he had spoken to were in favour of an out-and-back course.

Country Day.—Mr P. D. Brown, of the programme subcommittee, in response to suggestions made by members, recommended the holding of a country day when country high schools and clubs would be invited to Rugby Park. He approved of holding shorter road races and the running of longer relays, but saw no justification in increasing handicap events as there was a lack of interest shown in them.

Tests Passed.— Mr Lunn said that it was most gratifying for Mr B. H. Kerr (chairman) and himself to witness all the Canterbury Commonwealth Games athletes pass their fitness tests satisfactorily.