STRONG FIELD FOR 5000 METRES Blitz on Olympic standards likely in twilight athletics

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32798, 24 December 1971, Page 15

STRONG FIELD FOR 5000 METRES Blitz on Olympic standards likely in twilight athletics

Leading contenders for the New Zealand athletics team to travel to the forthcoming Munich Olympic Games appear in great abundance among the acceptances for the Toe H club’s sponsored invitation twilight track and field classic, to be held on the grass at Rugby Park on January 5.

The stimulus of top class competition and big meeting atmosphere might well result in several stepping inside the guideline standards set by the New Zealand selectors for the Munich Games. With a large contingent of athletes from the Australian Box Hill (women) and Power House (men) clubs competing, the meeting promises to be a great occasion for the sport in Canterbury. Although the quality of all fields is exceptionally high, the 5000 metres track event probably stands out as the main feature as far as tactical competition is concerned. Heading the list of starters are the three 1971 New Zealand cross country representatives, G. Thorley (Wellington), E. M. Gray (Greymouth) and J. Sheddan (Christchurch Olympic). But they are by no means alone. The very promising young Otago runner, T. Sutherland, should also make a deep impression. Two others from the southern province, L. Dey and B. Cowan, help give the field tremendous depth.

Other notable entries include J. Dixon (Nelson), N. Reid (Christchurch, Olympic), J. Power (Timaru), K. Hamilton (Christchurch, Technical) and J. D. Macdonald (Christchurch,

Olympic). Hamilton is the current Canterbury champion for the distance, and this will be one of his final appearances on the track before leaving for Europe. The guideline standard for the 5000 metres—l3min 44sec—is certainly within the ability of several of these athletes.

Another event which captures the imagination is the mile. This distance has never been run inside 4min in Christchurch, but the prospects of this being achieved on January 5 are bright. Among the entries are R. Tayler (Otago), who has already run a mile in 3min 58.8 sec, K. Ross (Wanganui), who is the reigning national 1500 metres champion, and R. Dixon (Nelson). Ross has a best time of 4min o.9sec; Dixon’s fastest is 4min O.lsec.

Giving the field an international flavour will be the prominent Victorian runner, O. Holdsworth, a sub-3min 50sec 1500 metres competitor.

In the 800 metres, the long awaited clash between the New Zealand champion, B.

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A. Hunter (Otago), and the man who finished last season with the fastest time, A. Gilmour (Christchurch, Technical), will take place. The outcome of this might well give a pointer towards Olympic Games selection for both are strong candidates. Their main aim will undoubtedly be to break the qualifying standard of Irnin 47.55ec. The performance of the young Mairehau High School pupil, D. Green (Christchurch), against top senior competition should also be of interest. Green and his coach (Mr K. E. Williams) have set their

sights on winning selection for the New Zealand team to compete in the 1974 Commonwealth Games, and this event should prove an ideal test. Other prominent'performers are O. K. Randall (Southland), S. Melville (Otago) and the former Canterbury champion, M. Clarkson (New Brighton). In the field events, there is also the promise of some splendid battles. The standard in the men’s long jump might even surpass that which is normally set in a national championship. Up to seven athletes could exceed 23ft. The Canterbury champion, K. Simpson (Christchurch, Toe H), has been the man to beat in local competition this season and the challenge likely to come from the two Australian entrants, B. Bolger and J. Hicks, should bring out the best in him.

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M. Mene (Christchurch, Technical), W. Jowett (Christchurch, University), M. Beable (Christchurch, University), S. W. Cowles (Christchurch, University), L. Brown (South Canterbury) and P. Nicholles (Marlborough) are other top-line jumpers in this event. The struggle for major honours in the women’s long jump should be just as exciting. In this Mrs J. Hicks (Australia) will provide the New Zealand competitors with something to aim for. She has cleared 20ft in this event. She is also a fine high jumper, having leapt sft 4in. Unfortunately, the Canterbury long jump champion, Mrs V. Grant (Technical), has been forced out with a leg injury. But there are two former provincial champions, Misses B. Poulsen (Technical) and F. Teahen (Temuka) in the field. The New Zealand hammer champion, W. J. Nicholl (Technical), will face a strong challenge to his superiority from the formei Australian junior champion, G. Braden. B. Harland (Technical), who has been showing marked improvement, could also prove a threat. Two Australians, P. WillsCooke and R. Cooney, are entered in the shot, but it is unlikely that they will be a match for either the Canterbury champion, H. J. Ruffell (Technical), or his chief rival, G. May (High School Old Boys). The rivalry which has developed between these two in recent weeks might well result in the provincial record of 51ft 3sin being extended. Canterbury pole vaulterswill get some strong competition from G. Townsend and M. Ramsay (both Otago). The Canterbury champion, C. F. Stricke (High School Old Boys) will be competing and there will be interest in the form of the Toe H pair, L. Brown and D. Leary, who will be using new fibre-glass poles.