Quax’s problem—1500 or 5000 metres

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32540, 25 February 1971, Page 24

Quax’s problem—1500 or 5000 metres

(N.Z. Press Association)

AUCKLAND.

New Zealand’s leading middle-distance runner, T. J. L. Quax, is unidecided whether to concentrate on the 1500 or 5000 metres in his bid to I win selection for the ■1972 Munich Olympic i Games.

Quax, who won the 1500 metres silver medal in last year’s Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh, confirmed this on his return to Auckland after a brief tour in the United States. “If the opportunity arises, I would like to compete in Europe later this year,” he said. “After gaining such experience, I would then be in a better position to make my choice.”

Quax, who had four indoor

“Three of the top Americans—John Mason, Chuck la Benz and Tom von Ruden—will be running in Australia .next month, and Mason told lime that he wants to come i; on to New Zealand,” said Quax. t “The Australians also want the world record1 holder, Ryun, and there is a 1 slight possibility that he, too, s might come here.”

one mile races in 14 days in the United States, said it was doubtful if he would run indoors again. “It was good experience,” he said, “but I don’t think indoor running suits me. 1 enjoyed the stay in the United States, especially last week-end’s sub-four-minute-mile in San Diego, but in future I think I will put my effort into outdoor events.” In last Saturday’s mile, Quax finished a creditable fourth behind J. Ryun (United States) in a time of 3min 58.9 sec. He said that at least one of America’s world-class milers wants to race in New Zealand next month