Dixon beaten into third

Press, 6 October 1980, Page 30

Dixon beaten into third

NZPA New York A disappointed Rod Dixon could not match the pace of a young black South African who ran away with a 10km road race at Purchase, New York, yesterday. Matthew Motshwarateu his country’s national track champion over five and 10km for the last two years, won easily in 27mins 59.35. Nick Rose, of Britain, was second in 28:10, w’ith Dixon third in 28:29. Dixon thus began and ended his first campaign as a road runner with_ third placings, having made his debut in the United States last June. But in between he had seven straight wins over distances ranging from 7.1 miles to the half marathon (13.1 miles).

He now plans to return to New Zealand for the southern summer. Dixon led the field of 200 through the first -two miles of yesterday’s race, but said later that he never felt happy. . , “I didn’t have any zip, I felt tired and lethargic,” he said later. “When Matthew put in his burner just before the five miles I couldn’t go with him.” The race was the first in a new grand prix prize money road racing circuit approved by the International Amateur Athletics Federation and the American Athletes Congress. Dixon picked up $4OOO for his club — all the prize money has to go to an athlete’s club under the rules — while the South African,

running • for the University of Texas at El Paso, won $lO,OOO and Rose $5OOO. Dixon said it was “an incredibly fast” race, and he blamed his recent race record for his lack of zip. He has won races over 13.1 miles and 10 miles on the last two week-ends and said he found coming down to 10km after that racing programme too difficult. “But I’ve been learning all the time here, and next year when I come back I will map out a better programme,” he said. The race Was the final of a sponsored series of 50 regional events throughout the United States, and featured a star-studded field. Bill Rodgers, the multi-winner of the Boston marathon, finished sixth.

The first five men home beat the previous race record. Dixon’s time was his fastest over the distance which he has never run on the track. It was an historic race, being the first in which amateurs were allowed to accept prize money. “It’s an exciting development which can only benefit the sport,” said Dixon. "I hope other countries, including New Zealand, learn from this experience. “As soon as it reaches New Zealand I will spend more time there."

Dixon plans to leave the United States for home in about 10 days, stopping over in Rarotonga for a 31km round-tha-island read race, i