No reason why distance runners cannot be big and tall

Press, 3 October 1979, Page 12

No reason why distance runners cannot be big and tall

RUNNERS’ DIARY

, B y

John Drew

There seems to be a popular misconception among some sports physicians and exercise physb ologists that long distance athletes tend to be ratthin. runt-sized runners. All of the greatest exponents in this sport, which ranks with cycling and boxing as the toughest in the world, have to have a high power to body weight ratio. Nevertheless, some notable long distance runners are big men. The holder of the world’s fastest time for the 42.2 km marathon. Derek Clayton of Australia, is 1.9 m. The winner of the last huge Honolulu marathon, Don Kardong, is a man of I.Bm and a former winner, a clergyman. Jeff Wells, is also a tall man. And Roger Louis, of the RNZAF base. Wigram, who is a marathoner at the hemht of 2m (6ft 4in) is a distinguished former weight-litter and field events athlete.

Roger, by his running, has kept his magnificent physique. He is as good looking an athlete now as he was 10 years ago.

When he competed in the Canterbury road championships last Saturday, his mighty but well proportioned muscularity left no doubt that he must be the strongest distance athlete in the country. One of Australia’s most notable and popular ultradistance men, Tom Gillis, of Sydney, who won the last New Brighton 50-mile race in Christchurch, was a trifle heavy in front.

By far the greatest, (aged over 60 years) 160 km runner in New Zealand is a former Maori All Black and a tall man, Cy McLachlan, of Auckland. He has a rather better claim to the honourable title of sportsman than his sedentary rugby contemporary. the present Postmaster General, Ben Couch, who gives himself the same description of “sportsman” in radio

broadcasts. Nearer home, another tall man. Jack Taylor, of the St Marlin's Club, nowaged 50 years and a former Auckland hurdles representative, has completed three New Brighton' “50" events as well as the last Honolulu marathon.

Although not as agile as he once was, Jack can easily step clean over high hurdles in cross-country events such as the Skellerup Steeples with great ease than many younger, faster competitors. Dr T. Maling is another tall marathoner. He is one

of eight medical men who completed the last Sedley Wells marathon, also organised by the Long Distance Runners’ Club. New Zealand's undisputed tallest long distance runner, Rod Rutherford, of the Toe H club, has not only completed the New Brighton "50” in commendable time but has fin-

ished the Symon and Lowther 100km' event in both 1977 and 1978. Last year, Rod used his height to rescue a woman, one of several women runners who have completed with honour the 100 km. Susan Young a winner of both the veteran and open sections of the Canterbury marathon got locked in behind high wire gates when using a toilet at a petrol station at Lyttelton. The proprietor had gone home for lunch. Rutherford a strong man as well as a tall one, lifted Susan over the barrier to safety, which enabled her to complete the distance. Another tall man is emerging on the Christchurch ..long distance scene. Frank Collins, a master at St Andrew’s College, made his marathon debut at' the age of 55 in the Salinas Valley marathon in California this year. In Canterbury, where enthusiasm for running has a faster growth rate than in any other province. some run organisers are so confident of popular support they have no

diffidence about staging runs on the same date. At 9 a.m. on Sunday. October 14, the Altrusa Club of New Brighton will hold their first fun run to raise funds for community projects, starting and finishing at the old grand stand at QEII Park. And one hour later, on the same day, the big Hornby Festival fun run will start from the Hornby Mall, also finishing there Mrs Marion Kerr, the organiser for the Altrusa Club run says she is sure that there ' is such enthusiasm in Christchurch for community runs that another big run on the other side of town will in no way interfere with the Altrusa Club event. Anyway, good luck to both projects. RUNNERS' HINT FOR ■ THE WEEK Regardless of whether you are young or oid, fast or slow, a beginner or a seasoned performer, the slogan remains true that “miles make the runner.” So, whenever you can find the time, it's a better training investment to run

for not less than an hour If you can’t manage to run. or walk and run. for an hour you are going too -fast for your present capabilities. And please make sure you maintain a ( “talking pace” all the By doing it that way you are never likely to get into troubles related to over-stress. And you will also be better protected against going lame — a constant hazard for all* sorts of runners.