Fun runs swell clubs

Press, 7 July 1977, Page 13

Fun runs swell clubs

The steady flow of graduates from community fun runs to serious athletics means Canterbury can now claim the largest number of registered club runners of any province in New Zealand.

The Canterbury centre of the N.Z.A.A.A. says that more than 1000 runners of all ages have registered this year — an increase of about 15 per cent.

This exceptional growth is shown in the record entry for the annual Skellerup Steeples, interclub cross-country meeting at Queen Elizabeth II Park on Saturday morning.

Runners from Canterbury’s 16 registered clubs will be joined by top ath-

letes from Auckland, Wellington, Otago and Waikato for the event.

The race co-ordinator, Mr Morrie Poulton, says that such is the strength of Canterbuy talent that the seniors officially invited to represent the province are as strong as the visitors. In recognition of this local talent, the Christ-

church selectors have invited John and Warren Sheddan. John Argue, Eddie Gray, Tom Birnie (the national 1500 metres title holder) Martin Couldwell, Tony Good, Don Greig, Frank Nolan, Ivan Shatford, Doug Brown, Tony Gavigan and the top Canterbury juniors, Peter Renner and Neal Lowsley.

They will treat the race as a full dress rehearsal for the Canterbury championships on July 23 and the New Zealand championships at Napier on August 13.

In the senior men’s race, which has attracted more than 240 entries, a tremendous tussle can be expected. Last year’s winner, John Dixon, of Nelson, can expect stern competition from Auckland’s top contender of this season, the tall, long-striding Phillip Wilson, the Canterbury international John Sheddan, the former international Eddie Gray of Greymouth, the over-all winner of the recent Edmond cup Alan Thurlow, and the international Evan Roberston, both of Otago. The Skellerup meeting is sometimes regarded as an unofficial test for the premier New Zealand cross-country club. There will be tremendous competition for club honours. Canterbury University, by the way the)’ have been training through the recent stormy weather, are obviously keen to avenge their recent defeat by Mornington and Caversham of Dunedin in the Edmund cup contest. Their strongest opposition could come from their fellow Canterbury club Olympic. All events are being held in the morning because of the second Rugby test againstthe Lions.