Lukewarm welcome for harrier medallist

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32567, 29 March 1971, Page 26

Lukewarm welcome for harrier medallist

E. M. Gray, the West Coast runner who won the individual bronze medal in the international cross-country championships in San Sebastian, Spain, recently, must have felt like a prophet without honour in his own country when he returned to New Zealand on Saturday.

He was greeted by an official in Wellington with the news that his place in the New Zealand team had been in jeopardy because he failed to break 30min for 10,000 metres before the trip to Spain. But although Gray missed this mark, set by the selectors, in winning the Canterbury 10,000 metres track title in unpleasantly hot conditions in Christchurch, he succeeded brilliantly in the heavy going at San Sebastian. “I felt sharp for the race, and I knew that if I was in a handy position after a mile or so I would be able to get amongst them,” said Gray, speaking from his home in Runanga last evening. ENGLISHMAN WON “After two miles I was up with the leaders, except, of course for Bedford, who had cleared out by then.” D. Bedford, of England, led from start to finish and won by 200 yards. Gray was 30

yards behind the secondplaced T. Wright, also of England.

“On my previous two overseas trips, I sharpened up too much before I left New Zealand, and was past my peak speed for the international event,” Gray said. On this occasion, however, his preparation was splendidly timed, and he went into the big race with speed as well as strength at his disposal. “UNLUCKY” TEAM Strength was a necessary attribute for the successful runners, for half the course was boggy and the weather was bad. Gray said the New Zealand team was the best he had been away with.

“We were very unlucky, with two of the boys being spiked on the first lap." New Zealand took fourth place in the teams’ section.

Gray intends to compete in cross-country events this winter, and will be back on the track for the 1971-72 summer season. He lost his national 10,000 metres title this year because the cross-

country team left for Spain at the time the New Zealand track and field championships were being held.