Annual DB marathon

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33712, 9 December 1974, Page 17

Annual DB marathon

The Canterbury crosscountry veteran (over--40) champion, C. F. Reece (New Brighton), ran outstandingly to beat athletes half his age and to take fastest time in the annual DB fourteenth Great Westland marathon from Greymouth to Hokitika on Saturday.

His time was 2hr 37min 56sec for the race, and was more than a minute faster than hte performance over the same course two years ago. T. Bowe (Police, Westport), a newcomer to mara-

thon running, took second with the excellent time of 2hr 42min 30sec. G. Morris (Westport), a regular entrant in the race, had third fastest time with 2hr 43min lOsec. Four policemen — all running their first marathon, completed the distance in presentable times. It was the first time in New Zealand that four members of the police force had completed this event. They ran as a team. They are Senior-Ser-geant P. Peoples, and Constables Bowe, G. Rutledge, and J. Claridge. A total of 41 starters and 25 finishers was a record for the race. Several had best personal times, although humid conditions and intervals of heavy rain made for difficult conditions. West Coast Ministry of Works and De-

velopment staff specially graded and rolled sections of the road under repair to help the runners. STREAKER A long-haired streaker, wearing a wig ran down Serpentine Hill near Kumara Junction at a feed station after 13 miles and shocked those manning the station. Finding no refreshments available, he chose to throw his arms round one of the official feed station women attendants instead. The winner of the D.B. Trophy for the oldest finisher, S. McArthur, aged 64, set a personal record by completing the race and six other marathons this season. His dog, Tray, was allowed to run the last half-mile, barking furiously to encourage his owner. BEER INSTEAD At the Greyhound Hotel, the race organiser (Mr J. Stuart, of Greymouth), one of the veteran starters, expected to find a wellmanned feed station Finding no-one about, he chose the nextbest thing and startled patrons at the hotel by ordering a long beer. He continued on his way to finish well up. The fifth place-getter, the wellknown West Coast distance runner, P. Howat. received a special D.B. trophy for completing 11 consecutive Great Westland marathons. He ran the first as a 15-year-old schoolboy. Runners and officials were entertained at Hokitika after the race by the Mayor (Mr W. Reynolds) and Mr J. Curragh representing Dominion Breweries, which sponsored the race. Results: D. Rowell (University) 1, A. Hadley (New Brighton) 2, B. Johnson (Greymouth) 3. C. F. Reece (New Brighton) 4, T. Bowe (Westport Police) 5, G. Morris (Westport) 6, S. Voung (University) 7, M. Morrison (Presbyterian) 8. P. Howat (Greymouth) 9, P. Law (St Martins) 10. G. Rutledge (Nelson Police) 11, S. Watts (Nelson) 12. J. Baxter (Methodist) 13. Fastest times. —C. F Reece (New Brighton). 2:37:56, 1; T. Bowe (Westport Police), 2:42:30, 2; G. Morris (Westport). 2:43:10, 3; S. Young (University), 2:47:43, 4; P. Howat (Greymouth), 2:50.06. 5; D. Rowell (University). 2:52:03,

6. Veterans. —Over 40: A. Hadley (New Brighton) 1. C. Reece (New Brighton) 2. R. Woodward (Rovers) 3, A. McPherson (Presbyterian) 4. Over 50: J. Stuart (Greymouth) 1. S McArthur (Nelson) 2, J. Drew (Veterans) 3.