Marathon to D. Dixey

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32425, 12 October 1970, Page 17

Marathon to D. Dixey

The Methodist runner D. Dixey outclassed a field of 55 starters to win for the second successive year the Marist Harrier Clubs open marathon of 26 miles 385 yards on Saturday.

Dixey cleared out from the start and led throughout the race. His time of 2hrs 29min 38sec was nearly five minutes slower than last year. J. Souter, of South Canterbury, formerly a top tennis player, was second in 2:34:51. J. Radcliffe (New Brighton) was three minutes further back for third and two minutes ahead of the fourth runner V. Sykes (Christchurch).

Th race was run from Rugby Park over a four-lap course in excellent conditions. In the later stages of the race the runners had the advantage of warmer conditions and a wind change which helped them over the last few miles.

Dixey, who had to run the whole distance alone, aimed for a 5:30 mile pace. He sustained this for the first 10 miles but slowed in the important middle stages of the race. His time for 20 miles was Ihr 52min. At this stage Souter was about five minutes behind and although he continued strongly over the last five miles he lacked the basic speed to challenge Dixey. ______

The race was remarkable tor the high over-all standard of performance (19 ran under three hours) and the large proportion of runners to complete the course (42 finished out of a field of 55 official starters). The race helped to highlight the strength of distance running In Canterbury, since most of the leading distance athletes were competing In the national 15,000 metres championship at Dunedin at the week-end. More than 20 of those who completed the race faced for the first time the ordeal of what is accepted as the most severe test of stamina and courage in athletics. For the leading runners the race was largely a solo time trial but there were grim tussles among some of the minor platings. Typical of these was the finish between the outstanding track and cross-country performer .P. Watson (Methodist), running his first marathon after just turning senior, and the South Canterbury representative, L. Hand. Watson looked to be running with some reserve and was close behind Hand with half a mile to go. But Hand’s background of long-distance running came to his rescue and he held Watson off by a fine margin. VETERAN* IMPROVE The race was notable for the best performance by veteran age (over 40) runners yet seen in a marathon In Canterbury. Eight runners of average age of 47 completed the course. Of these five Improved on their previous best time for the marathon distance. Four of them did not take up distance running until they were over 40. The best performance was that of the 58-year-old Christchurch Harrier Club runner, T. R. Bain, who ran his best marathon time of 2:56:46, nearly two minutes better than his previous time for the distance last year. I. Brownie (41) was the first veteran home, Bain was second, and B. Malcom (both Canterbury) third, and C. Baxter (Methodist) fourth. Results:

D. Dixey (Methodist), 2:29:38, 1; J. Souter (S.C.), 2:34:51, 2; J. Radcliffe (New Brighton), 2:37:17, 3; V. Sykes (Christchurch). 2:39:15, 4; M. Clarkson (Methodist), 2:40:8, 5; L. Hand (S.C.), 2:44:34, 6; P. Watson (Methodist), 2:44:41. 7; G. Harney (Ashburton), 2:46:23, 8; D. Tobin (Olympic), 2:46:35, 9; W. Terris (Anglican), 2:46:48, 10; P. Anderson (Methodist). 2:44:58, 11; R. McMillan (Timaru), 2:51:55, 12; R. Farmer (Olympic), 2:54.50, 13; H. Fitzgerald (Christchurch), 2:55:16, 14; I. Brownie (Christchurch) 2:55:28, 15; G. Hornell (Ashburton) 2:55:53, 16; T. Bain (Christchurch) 2:56:46, 17; T. Tollinson (Ashburton), 2:57:35, 18; B. Malcolm (South Canterbury), 2:58:25, 19; A. Hughes (St Martins), 3:2:14, 20; C. Wright (Methodist), 3:8:7, 21; I. Falvey (S.C.) 3:10:28, 22; C. Baxter (Methodist) 3:14:13, 23; E. Pierce (Christchurch) 3:14:20, 24; D. Withers (Christchurch) 3:16:26, 25; P. Harrow (Christchurch), 3:16:26, 26; R. Davies (Christchurch), 3:17:42, 27; B. Whittington (Olympic) 3:18:42, 28: I. McKay (Methodist), 3:18:45, 29; R. Lloyd (Ashburton) 3:21:1, 30; R. Fleming (Christchurch), 3:22:59, 31; J. Spencer (Anglican), 3:23:30, 32; B. Heseltine (Olympic), 3:26:42, 33; T. Lucas (Methodist), 3:29:50, 34; P. Law (Anglican) 3:31:59, 35.