South African wins harbour-side race

Press, 16 August 1976, Page 13

South African wins harbour-side race

By

JOHN DREW

A former Western Province .(South Africa) and Oxfordshire j England) representative, Bobert Knutzen, scored a good win in ’the big annual inter-club 10,000 m road race from Governor’s Bay to Lyttelton on Saturday. It was the first race for Knut•zen since he competed in the famous annual 52J mile London-to-Brighton race 11 months ago. He has also competed in the famous South African 54 mile annual ’‘Comrades” marathon.

His time of 32 minutes 44 seconds for the 10,000 m was commendable as he had done only "lunch time” training round Hagley Park since he arrived in New Zealand from South Africa six months ago to take up a lawlecturship at the University of Canterbury.

. The lovely weather and the harbour was a great introduction Ao road running in New Zealand ■said Knutzen. He hopes to concentrate on marathon running in ’New Zealand and take part in the 'next New Brighton “50.” The Greymouth runner, D. Gardiner, was second and -United’s Peter Morel was third. A former winner of the Timaru-to-Christchurch cycle race. R. Connelly (New Brighton), was fourth.

Although many leading Canterbury athTetes were competing in the national cross-country championships at Invercargill on the same day the standard was high. There was a record entry of

more than 390 runners and six athletes ran the distance in under 32 minutes. For some it was a family outing. Husbands compared their times with their wives’ taking part in the first women’s race held in conjunction with the main event. And after the race husbands could be seen carrying young children in their arms while their wives offered smiling congratulations as they walked to their cars after the race.

There was a pleasing turn out of West runners, one of whom was ths well-known veteran, Jim Hamilton, who scored a second placing behind the leading Canterbury long distance runner, Don Cameron. Cameron took fastest time in the veterans’ race in spite of being in the middle of a long mileage bulltd-up for the forthcoming Auckland-to-Hamilton 80 mile race.

The race was efficiently conducted by the Methodist Harrier Club. The race secretary, Mr Gilbert Dixey, said that because of the overwhelming increase in entries the big list of trophies would be presented in conjunction with the United clubs big inter-club Port Hills relay next Saturday. Results:— MEN Senior. —A. Knutzen (University). 32:44, 1; D. Gardiner (Greymouth), 39:38, 2; P. Morel (Unt), 35:42, 3: R. Connelly (New Brighton), 42:30. 4; E. Brown (Toe H), 41:30. 5; J. Lopaz (Rover), 42:31, 6. Fastest times: O. Hesp

(University). 30:45, 1; G. Donaldson (Christchurch), 30.46, 2; D. Askin (United), 30:52, 3; P. Bodger (University). 31:52, 4; J. Shatford (Te Kura), 31:33. 5; T. Ellis (New Brighton), 31:50, 6. Senior teams race.—University 1; United 2; Christchurch '3. Veterans.—C. McLaren (New Brighton). 43:00, 1; A. Smith (New Brighton), 40:12, 2; J. Carson (United) 39:39. 3; A. Brownie (Christchurch), 41:06, 4; B. Lewis (Greymouth), 35.47, 5; J Hamilton (Greymouth), 34:05. 6. Fastest times: D. Cameron (St Martins), 33:59. 1; J. Hamilton (Greymouth), 34:05. 2; B. O’Sullivan (United). 34:51. 3. Juniors.—R. Van Pelt (United), 35:11, 1; A. Walsh (Rovers), 35:30, 2; P. Hill (St Martins), 36:05, 3; B. Mlles (Olympic), 35:39, 4; D. Cook (Olympic). 41:13, 5; R. Sprott. 35:44, 6. Fastest times: C. Kitchingman (St Martins), 34:57, 1; JI. Griggs (Technical), 35:10, 2; R. Van Pelt (United), 35:11. 3; A Prescott (Cashmere), 35:14. 4. Junior team race.—Christchurch Boys’ High School 1, United 2. WOMEN

P 'Woolman (Olympic). 46:28, 1; R. Findlay (Toe H). 53:20. 2; C. McKenzie (Olympic). 49:00, 3; W. Gilbert (Toe H), 50:22, 4; S Calder (Toe H). 45:54, 5; P. Cameron (Olympic). 50:33. 6; D. McLauchlan. 48:00, 7; P. Barson (Toe H), 55:40, 8; A. Hendrick (Olympic), 51:00, 9. Fastest times: S. Calder, 45:54, 1; P. Woolman 46:28, 2; D, McLauchlan. 48.00, 3.