Torrid weather will make things tough in marathon

Press, 12 August 1978, Page 14

Torrid weather will make things tough in marathon

The high temperatures of recent days suggest that competitors in the Commonwealth Games marathon today will be in the same kind of physical danger that stopped Jim Peters (England) in the tragic finish to the gruelling 1954 event at the Vancouver Games. In that event Peters collapsed on the last lap of the Stadium while holding a big lead and could not finish. The starting time is 5.20 p.m. but in Edmonton, where it is light until 10 p.m., there is a strong possibility that temperatures will still be very high. Adding to the problems are the altitude — Edmonton is more than 2000 ft above sea level — and the very dry atmosphere. Kevin Ryan, a 30-year-old contractor from Auckland, heads the rankings for the event of 26 miles 385 yd (42.19 km with his best time of 2h 11 min 435, set in the Boston Marathon. But this does not make him the favourite in an event famous for its unpredictable results. Any one of a dozen of the 35 entrants can be considered medal possibilities. This ’ I is one race which does not

necessarily go to the swiftest. The course is a simple out-and-home one, starting and finishing at the Commonwealth Stadium. It is very flat, extending to the Canadian Forces airbase at Namao before returning. The man who won the Christchurch Games marathon in the second-fastest time ever recorded, lan Thompson (England), failed to win a place in his national team this time. It is a reminder of just how tough the competition will be today. Jack Foster, who won the silver medal for New Zealand last time, did not make it this time, either. In fact, the only medallist from the Christchurch Games marathon in the field is the determined little runner from Swaziland, Richard Mabuza. He ran 2h 12min 54s in Christchurch and, if it is hot today, might well find the conditions to his liking. But if big things are expected of anyone it is the talented Indian distance specialist, Shivnath Singh. He is used to hot conditions and his best time this year of 2h llmin 59s underlines him as a fine prospect for the gold medal. The English challenge will

come from Jeff Norman and Trevor Wright. Both men have run the marathon distance in 2h 13min or faster and will certainly be among the strongest in the field. A Scottish runner, Jim Dingwall, is also rated highly. He has recorded 2h 13min 58s this year. Canada’s chances of increasing its already impressive medal tally appear to rest with Jerome Drayton. But he has been suffering from injury problems and is a doubtful starter today.

The New Zealand champion, Paul Ballinger, could prove a dark horse in his first international event, although nobody is rating his chances very highly. Terry Manners, the third New Zealander in the field, has the experience to do well. He is hoping to . improve on his fourth placing in the Christchurch Games. Apart from the marathon, it is a relatively quiet day for track competition today. The chief interest will be in the 1500 m heats for men and women. Finals to be decided are the women’s 100 m hurdles, the men’s pole vault, the women’s high jump, the men’s discus and the women’s long jump.