Sharpe seeks trial

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33062, 1 November 1972, Page 28

Sharpe seeks trial

The 26-year-old New Brighton athlete, R. S. Sharpe, who was such an easy winner in the annual “King of the Mountains” road race last Saturday, hopes to convince the selectors he is worth a place in the national cross-country trial on December 2.

After finishing twentyeighth in the national 12,000 metres cross-country championship at Auckland in August, Sharpe was passed over by the selectors when the final trialists for the team to contest the international championships in Belgium were chosen.

Sharp has since discovered that his poor performances in recent months were because of an illness, and he has hopes of making his mark now that he is cured. “I didn’t even know I was ill,” Sharpe explained after his win on Saturday. "It wasn’t until I went to a doctor that I realised why I had been running so poorly.” Eight weeks ago Sharpe put himself under the guidance of the Cashmere club coach, Mr E. C. Rowe, and is very satisfied with his progress. “I have never run like this before,” he said, referring to his win in the “King of the Mountains.” Under Mr Rowe’s guidance

Sharpe is working to a new training schedule. His main target in the months ahead is to run well in the cross-country trial—provided he is accepted—but if he is not allowed to start, his emphasis will switch to the track steeplechase.