Bedford considering settling in N.Z.

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33426, 7 January 1974, Page 12

Bedford considering settling in N.Z.

The world 10,000 metres ( record-holder, D. Bedford, I of England, said yesterday that he would like to settle < in New Zealand. t He became an instant sue- 1 [cess with .Canterbury longdistance athletes after a 15- ' mile work-out from the Wai- f mairi Surf Club up the beach to Spencer Park and back. 1 Bedford said that the : f Canterbury surroundings and ■ [environment for training r [were wonderful. Although 1 I he would like to settle here. ’ ■he had a good job in Eng- [ land, and a good boss, whom he would like to consult before making a decision. 1 “I would like to work for [myself in New Zealand, and [ I do not want to give the [ [impression I am job huntling,” he added. ( He discovered that some Canterbury athletes have ■ j already formed a David Bed- ( ford fan club. He saw evid- ( ence of this on car stickers j| attached to several vehiclesj, parked at the beach. They[ ( said: “Prepare for the

Games. Become a David Bed ford fan.” A spokesman for the organisers said the stickers had been distributed throughout the South Island. “We hope Dave Bedford will enjoy his stay here. We did it because we admire him and because we hope that publicity will help him promote the Games. We are glad he enjoyed the beach run. The conditions at. low tide were beautiful.” the spokesman said.