Dixon, Foster dominate

Press, 14 August 1978, Page 3

Dixon, Foster dominate

John Dixon (Nelson) and: Jack Foster (Waikato) out’ i classed all opposition to i take first and second in the I New Zealand cross-country i championships at Tauranga j on Saturday. Running in fine mild weather on a fast 12,000 metre course, which included 32 jumps, Dixon and Foster cleared out early to set a pace that the rest of the field could not match. It was an extraordinary performance by Foster at the age of 46. He matched Dixon for the first 9000 metres when it was only Dixon’s superior jumping ability which enabled him to make a break. Dixon won by the narrow margin of 20 seconds.

Foster’s pace was too fast for many men half his age. The first Canterbury man home was Mel Radcliffe (11), Gavin Donaldson (14) and John Sheddan (15).

The outstanding Canterbury performance was by Jim Macdonald who outclassed the 15 times international representative, Jeff Julian of Auckland to easily win the men’s veteran championship title. Julian, who was second, could not match Macdonald’s early pace. Neil Low’sley was first 'Canterbury man home in the I junior men’s championship for a fine second placing. ! Canterbury appears to

have a new candidate foi the women’s cross-country team for Ireland in Ann Keown, who came a fine i third in the women’s title jrace.

j She was only 12 seconds 'behind the international winner, Barbara Moore, of Auckland, and two seconds behind Loraine Moller (Waikato) who was second. i Jennette Holland (of AshI burton) came a commendable third in the women’s veteran event. Gwyn Heseltine besides being co-manager of the Canterbury. team, took fourth in her age group and 11th over all, while Frances Clarke took the over 55 women’s title. Matt Bennie was second in the over 60 section. Results:-—

J. Dixon (Wellington). 36.9, 1; J. Foster (Waikato). 36:29, 2; B. Jones (Auckland), 36:53, 3; D. O’Connell (Wellington), 37:12, 4; G. Macky (Wellington)), 37:14, 5; R» Robinson (Wellington;, 37:18, 6; E. Cairns (Wellington), 37:25, 7; T Green (W.C.-N.L), 37:33, 8; D. Young (Auckland), 37:36, 7; B. Jones (W.C.-N.L), 37:40. 10: Radcliffe (Canterbury), 37:41, 11.

Other Canterbury placings were: G. Donaldson, 37:53, 14; J. Sheddan. 37:58, 15: F. Nolan, 38:30, 23; T. Birnie, 38:33, 25; W. Sheddan, 39:5, 38; J. K. Macdonald. 39:10, 41; F. Brookes. 39:21, 46.

Team winners: Wellington, 41, 1; Auckland. 85, 2; Canterbury, 126. 3.

Junior.--R. Thurlow (Otago), 17:52, 1; N. Lowsley (Canterbury), 18:10. 2; R. Wilson (Hawke’s Bay-. 18:12. 3; R. Park (Welling-

ton*, 18:20, 4; P. Burridge (Northland', 18:24, 5; D. Froude (Wellington), 18:33, 6. Other Canterbury placings were: N. Gilchrist. 18:42, 10; P. Renner, 18:54, 17; J. Elliott, 19:14, 26; A. Prescott, 19:15, 27; A. Szentivanyi, 19:17, 28; S. Kitchingham, 19:43, 41; P Prisk, 19:52, 47; G. McEwen, 19:59, 51; B. Ballinger, 20:20, 63; H. Barrow, 20:23, 65; R. Sprott, 20:45, 71. Team winners: Wellington 1, Otago 2, Canterbury 3. Veterans. —J. D. Macdonald (Canterbury), 28:48, 1; J. Julian (Auckland), 29:3, 2; P. Pearce (Manurewa), 29:7, 3; B. Everitt (Wellington), 29:29. 4; R. Chase (Auckland', 29:57, 5; R. Jones (Whakatane), 30:11, 6.

Other Canterbury placings: D.. Greig (New Brighton,'., 31:0, 13; B. Keown (New Brighton), 32:47, 34; B. Heseltine (New Brighton), 36:31. 88.

Over 60.—G. Bennett (Tas rangai. 1; M. Bennie (Cante bury), 2.

B. Moore (Auckland), 13:19. 1; L. Moller (Waikato), 13:29. 2; A. Keown (Canterbury), 13:31, 3; A. Audain (Auckland), 13:34, 4; A. Deed 13:40, 5; T. Wild (Wellingtons 13:41, 6; A. Lord (Australia), 13:45, 7; M. O’Connor (Canterbury), 13:45, 8. Other Canterbury placings: W. Mollinson, 14:18. 20; S. Harnett, 14:31, 26; M. Hadley, 14:37, 30; A. Tait, 14:40, 33; E. Baker, 14:42, 35; N. Evans, 14:42, 36. There were 67 finishers.

Team winners: Auckland, 18, 1; Waikato, 45, 2; Canterbury, 48, 3.

Veterans.—J. Chandler (Waikatoi, 11:37, 1; A. Jones (Bay of Plenty), 11:52, 2; J. Holland (Ashburton;. 11:55, 3; V. Rodger (Auckland', 12:4, 4: V. Green (Auckland*, 12:9. 5: R. Patterson (W.C.-N.L), 12:38. 6; J. Ditsche (Waikato), 12:44, 7; B. Vine (Auckland)!, 13:15, 8; G. Heseltine (Canterbury), 13:32, 9; D. Cuthbertson (Waikato), 13:53. 10; F. Clarke 'Canterbury), 15:56, 11.