Gilmour on schedule with Games bid

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33382, 14 November 1973, Page 30

Gilmour on schedule with Games bid

(By

R. O. DEW)

Last summer was one which the leading Canterbury SOO metres runner. A. Gilmour, is unlikely to remember with any great pleasure. A leg injury reduced him i to a jog in the final of the | national championships at; Wellington and he finished i last in an event in which he | should have been a prominent ' figure. However, he has now put' this disappointment behind him and has his sight firmly' fixed on the Commonwealth' Games team. His outstanding | run of Imin 51.9 sec at Ham last Saturday — the fastest: recorded on grass this season | — indicated that he was right • on schedule. Four better Only three other New Zealand athletes have run 800 metres faster — the national champion, J. Walker (Imin 49.8 sec), S. Melville (Imin 50.1 sec) and B. A. Hunter (Imin 51sec) — and their times were achieved on allweather surfaces. Gilmour’s chances of Games selection will depend

I largely on his performance in I the national championship at 'Queen Elizabeth II Park on December 1. And this is when [he intends to be at his peak. I However, he is also aware •that he must better the Games qualifying standard of Imin 50sec and has high | hopes of doing this before 'the national event. Depending on weather and track he might make a (special attempt on the standlard during the twilight meeting at Ashburton this I evening. No great problem I “If everything is right 1 [will have a go,” he said. “If it isn’t, I will concentrate on [sped work and run a 400 (metres instead.” He does not regard the (qualifying time as a great problem. “I should be able to better it without too much difficulty,’’ he added. Gilmour has a personal best time of Imin 48.2 sec, set two seasons ago when he beat Hunter on the Caledonian track at Dunedin. But apart from bettering the standard, he is not unduly concerned about times. “I just want to run well enough to get in the team. Times will take care of themselves.” he said. Advanced fitness His coach, Mr V. Briedis, believes that he has never before been so advanced in his preparation at a similar stage of a season. “He is looking very promising indeed,” he said. Gilmour is particularly pleased with the way his times have been coming down with every race, in

ispite of a minor attack of influenza and a lack of istrong competition. Now he [wants to get on to the Chevron track at Queen Elizabeth |ll Park as soon as possible “I think it is going to take (quite a lot of time to get used (to it. I don’t know how it will [suit my style. 1 am just hopling that it will,” he said. I Aged 23. Gilmour regards Walker, Hunter and the Auckland runner, W. Madden, as his main rivals for Games selection. “Madden has been troubled by injury but he has I fantastic potential. He could I run a good race one of these [days.” | Melville could also prove la threat, although at this (stage it seems likely that his •main event will be the 1500 metres.