15-mile 'jaunt' for Cameron

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33693, 16 November 1974, Page 46

15-mile 'jaunt' for Cameron

The annual, inter-club DB Star and Garter 15mile road race this evening seems likely to appear only a short jaunt for the Christchurch long - distance runner D. G. Cameron by comparison with his 1380-mile run in which he broke the record from Bluff to Cape Reinga by more than 10 days.

Cameron, of the Baptist and Cashmere clubs, will be making his first start in a road race since he broke the record three weeks ago. He will not be aiming at peak performance, however, as he is at present on a modified schedule of about eight weeks recovery running. Cameron, aged 42, who averaged about 400 miles a week during his 23-day record-breaking attempt, said yesterday: “I am finding my present programme of active rest on about 50 miles a week is very relaxing and enjoyable. Cameron, whose recordbreaking run was aimed at encouraging community fit-

ness at all levels, said he would welcome slower runners and beginners of all ages to accompany him on part of the distance in today’s event. While Cameron will not be in full flight today, some leading Canterbury road-runners will be out to take the record from the present holder, the Canterbury cross-country veteran champion, C. F. Reece (New Brighton). Runners will also make the race a sharpening run for the Great Westland Marathon in three weeks.

The strongest challenge seems sure to come from the steadily improving young New Brighton runner, M. Radcliffe, a former holder of the record for the Rangiora 20.

Radcliffe’s fast time in the Kaiapoi to Christchurch and his outstanding run for third in the “King of the Mountain” race last week indicates a return to the form which made him one of Canterbury’s top road runners in 1972.

The St Martin’s club is taking entries up to 4.30 p.m. today for the race, which starts at 5 p.m. from the Xavier College sports grounds in Gamblins Road at 5 p.m.