Steeplechaser decides to travel overseas

Press, 8 February 1980, Page 20

Steeplechaser decides to travel overseas

By

ROD DEW

Martin Couldwell, a comfortable winner of the Canterbury 3000 m steeplechase last Saturday, has decided to travel overseas in search of the strong competition he needs to qualify for the Moscow Olympic Games. He has already resigned from his position as a chemistry master at Christchurch Boys’ High School, and will contest the Australian steeplechase championship in Sydney on March 22. Then, in April, he will leave for Europe where he plans to spend six months training with and racing against some of. the finest steeplechasers in the world.

“I want to find out just what I am capable of in the steeplechase.” Couldwell said. “In Europe, I should be able to find regular strong competition. In New Zealand, all I can expect are one or two top races a year. And that is nowhere near enough.” Couldwell was bitterly disappointed at the reluctance of overseas runners to com-

pete in the steeplechase in the recent Pan Am-South

Pacific Television international track series.

Kip Rono (Kenya), the winner of the World Cup steeplechase last year, was brought to New Zealand specifically to race in this event and yet the only time he did was at Auckland. And even then, he only did this after complaints by Couldwell’s coach, Brian Taylor, and other steeplechasers. Couldwell was relying on the incentive of racing against the visitors to lift his performance above'the Olympic qualifying time of Bmin 28s.

He has revised an earlier plan to visit the United States. He will base himself in London while he is jn Europe. However, Couldwell has several important assignments to complete before he leaves. On Sunday he will contest the Canterbury 1500 metres championship at Queen Elizabeth II Park and the following week-end he will make a bid for the Canterbury 5000 m title. Then his attention will| turn to the defence of his 1 New Zealand steeplechase championship at Auckland on February 29.