N.Z. harriers for veterans

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32382, 22 August 1970, Page 11

N.Z. harriers for veterans

f OUTSTANDING running by athletes of more than 40-years-old in New Zealand’s first veterans’ cross-country race at Paekakariki recently seems likely to ensure the event will become an annual fixture. ' The winning time was comparable with some set In the open national championships on the same course and day. The winner, B. Collier, of Tokoroa, is a 42-year-old grandfather who began serious training at 35. Like several veterans in the race, he is able to hold his own in open competition. He came in second for his province, Waikato, in the last national marathon championship. He trains about 10 miles a day, much of it with the New Zealand woman athletic’s representative, Mrs V. Robinson. Most of the runners in Saturday’s race compete regularly for harrier clubs. All are registered runners. Some began training after they had reached 40. Most train between 30 and 60 miles each week. The success of the race was largely due to the Wellington Scottish Harrier Club. Months f preparation

by the race secretary, Mr C. Green, of Scottish, and the president of the Veteran Athletic Club, Mr C. Gordon, resulted in 50 entries from 14 districts in both North and South Islands being received. The big field in Saturday’s race emphasised the growing support of veteran athletics in both Islands. Many prominent runners past their peak are looking forward to reaching the age of 40 which entitles them to run as veterans. Each year more join in as they become eligible. They recognise the advantage of competition suited to ability. This is noticeable among some former leading athletes who are coaching. Sometimes dubious about running in open competition with their pupils, they feel no threat to status by running in their own age group. Some welcomed the opportunity to renew old rivalries. An example was the tussle between Harold Nelson (46), a former New Zealand international, and his brother Garnet (47). In earlier days Garnet had sometimes to sacrifice his chances of success by acting as pace-maker for his more accomplished brother. But

on Saturday Garnet was able to beat Harold, who strained his leg. In doing so he bettered his own time in the Wellington provincial championships on the same course a few weeks earlier. His pace across country was faster than many Rugby internationals could sustain for shorter distances. Saturday’s race has stimulated rivalry between veterans in both Islands. South Island runners, mainly from Canterbury, were outclassed by their North Island counterparts. They are now increasing their training mileage in preparation for the next championships. There has been criticism by some sports executives of active competition by veterans on the grounds that they should be acting as officials. Several runners in Saturday’s race served as officials in the main championship event. The next national championships are being held in Dunedin and veteran officials there are already busy preparing for the second veterans’ championship. This time about 100 are expected to run. Many will act as officials for the open championships held after the veterans’ race.