Runner hit by car wins fast marathon

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33676, 28 October 1974, Page 3

Runner hit by car wins fast marathon

R. Sharpe (New Brighton) was struck by a car and thrown on to the bonnet during the Christchurch Harrier Club’s marathon of 26 miles 385 yards on Saturday. But he carried on courageously for a fine win.

Sharpe was running third and battling to catch the leaders when the accident occurred at 10,000 metres.

Although badly shaken and put off stride, he finished in the fast time of 2hr 24min 12sec in spite of a troublesome north-east wind.

K. Hamilton (Technical), who like Sharpe was running his first marathon, was second in 2hr 27min 54sec. V. Sykes (Christchurch) ran well for third in 2hr 31min 25sec.

Sharpe said he was very pleased with his time “I was not intending to run as fast as that. I didn’t think I had the ability.” “The accident happened when a woman driver was coming out of the park. I saw her but she didn’t see me. The next thing I knew 1 was on top of the bonnet. I was very lucky I didn’t get hurt.”

J. O’Brien (New Brighton), who had just turned 17, was fourth in 2hr 34min 25sec. It was the fastest marathon time recorded in New Zealand for a runner of this age. The Timaru athlete. I. Falvey, celebrated his fortieth birthday by taking fastest time for veterans (over 40). Falvey, the father of the Canterbury women's representative runner. D. Falvey, registered the best time of his career of 2hr 47min 28sec to take commendable sixth placing out of a field of 42 starters. FAST START F. Brookes (Technical), who made it known beforehand that he intended to withdraw at 3000 metres to attend a wedding, set a sizzling pace, which, if continued throughout the distance, would have produced close to a world record.

Hamilton, who went out with Brookes, apparently misjudged the pace. He allowed himself to be run off his feet and thus deprived himself of what would otherwise have been a chance of winning. Sharpe, who was aware of Brobkes's intention to withdraw, set himself a more realistic pace. He was nonetheless handicapped bv having to run nearly the whole race by himself. GOOD TIME He came strongly through the ordeal of the final 10,000 metres to overtake the badly jaded Hamilton with about 3000 metres to go. If these two had contested the race together the time

of both would have been even better. Considering the handicap under which Hamilton placed himself his time was remarkably good.

Sharpe stayed with Hamilton and Brookes during the helter skelter pace of the first two

The two Technical Club runners teamed together into the head wind sections when they opened a gap on Sharpe although he pulled them back somewhat when the wind was behind him.

This pattern continued until Brookes withdrew. His time for 3000 metres was Ihr 41inin 55sec, Hamilton’s Ihr 42min 20sec, and Sharpe’s Ihr 44min 50sec. B. Beale (New Brighton), attempting his first marathon at 49, showed courage in completing the distance in spite of his customary five mile training run earlier the same day. The race, which takes the place of the now discontinued United Club marathon, was efficiently controlled by officials of the Christchurch Harrier Club. The well chosen and varied four-lap course from Queen Elizabeth II Park was adequately marked and feed and sponge stations were well manned. Of the 23 who finished nine were running their first marathon. Four were under 20 and five over 40. The New Brighton Club (1, 4. 5, and 8) easily won the teams race. Results:— R. Sharpe (New Brighton), 2:24:12, I; K. Hamilton (Technical), 2:27:54, 2; V. Sykes (Christchurch), 2:31:25, 3; J. O’Brien (New Brighton), 2:34:0, 4; A. McLaren (New Brighton), 2:42:38, 5; I. Falvey (Timaru), 2:47:28, 6; H. Reed (University), 2:49:38, 7; P. Sullivan (New Brighton), 2:52:05, 8; J. Mulvaney (St Martins), 3:0:50, 9; S. Terris (New Brighton), 3:1:50, 10; S. Hill (Technical), 3:2:44, 11; M. Morrison (Presbyterian), 3:7:36. 12; J. Young (Olympic), 3:7:47, 13; A. Davies (Christchurch), 3:8:5, 14; J. Carter (Ashburton), 3:12:55, 15; M. Baxter and J. Baxter (Methodist), 3:15:34 (equal) 16; R. Flaus (Christchurch), 3:16:32, 18; T. Brookes (Rover Scouts), 3:19:24, 19; P. Law (St Martins). 3:27:11, 20; L. Richardson and K. Cooke (University), 3:30:45 (equal). 21; B. Beale (New Brighton), 3:54:30, 23; J. Drew (Veterans), 3:54:31, 23.

Veterans.—l. Falvey 1, R. Flaus 2, K. Cooke 3, B. Beale and J. Drew (equal) 4.