A strong field in relay

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33941, 6 September 1975, Page 48

A strong field in relay

Most of the South Island’s finest distance runners as well as those from Wellington will make up a record field for the annual 35.5 mile S.I.M.U. inter-club Motueka to Nelson relay race today. Special attention will focus on the Nelson team which will include the reigning cross-country champion, John Dixon, and his brother, Rod, the international track star. Rod is having his first run in New Zealand since returning from an overseas athletics tour on Wednesday and will run despite the foot injury he suffered overseas. The University of Canterbury will start the favourite, but will have close competition from Nelson, Otago University, and Christchurch Olympic. Wellington, the present champion, has been weakened by the last-minute withdrawal of the international runner Brian Rose, who has influenza. The field will be of international class in the second lap, which is considered the crucial one and the longest. John Dixon will run for Nelson, John Sheddan for Christchurch Olympic, Euan Robertson for Otago University, -and the former cross-country international Eddie Gray of Greymouth. Rod Dixon will run the short three-mile last lap for Nelson. A welcome appearance after a prolonged lay-off will be the West Coast former national marathon champion, Dave McKenzie, who will run lap six for Greymouth. Boxing.—Tony Mundine outpointed the New Zealand light heavy-weight champion Joe Jackson, over 10 rounds in SydI ney..