Mary O’Connor wins half-marathon

Press, 26 November 1980, Page 17

Mary O’Connor wins half-marathon

By

JOHN DREW

i The annual Edmonds Tang j women's half-marathon held ■at Tai Tapu at the week-end emphasised the growing enthusiasm for distance running among women of a wide range of ages, abilities and expereience. Mary O’Connor (University), holder of both the New I Zealand and Australian; cross-country titles, was again the winner in the excellent time of Ihr 22 min 445. Doris Trueman, Christine Burden, and Anne Rigg took the next three placines, each running well under Ihr 30 min. Mary O’Connor had earlier in the day taken part in the first ’ northward of Christchurch leg of the; “Women on the move’’ run through Canterbury. I The event which is held annually by the Long Distance Runners’ Club of New Zealand, is the biggest distance race for women only, I in the South Island, and this year attracted entrants from Westport, Nelson, Timaru and one from Auckland. There were 102 starters, about double last year’s field, and the finishing rate of nearly 90 per cent was also a record for the event. A record of 42 finished under 2 hours. More than half the field were over the age of 25, many of them relative newcomers to the sport. Nearly

I a third were in the veteran [(over 35) category. Ages ranged from 13 to 60. The [high over-ail standard was lithe more remarkable considJ ering the blustery north- ■ iwest wind, which was blow- . ing the runners off balance in several parts of the ■ course. i Trixie Smith won the Jaward for the first to finish over 60 and Christine ■Hawkev. aged 13. won the jprize for the youngest to [finish. J Results: — Mary ’! O’Connor. 1:22.44, 1; Doris ; •Trueman. 1:25.22. 2; Chris-, j tine Burden. 1:27.34 3.: i ■ ! Ann Rigg. 1:28.17, 4: Sue ,| Taylor. 1:31.1. 5; T ere sa ' J Woodham. 1:32.23. 6: Lor- .} raine Buiek, 1:32.40, 7; j Pauline Rhodes, 1:33.31, 8; Janet Saunders (Nelson) I 1:33.55, 9; Eileen Lee j (Westport) 1:36.50. 10; I Kathy Ward, 1:34.42, 11; | Beverley Tweedie, 1:40.36, 12; Christine Connor, ’ 1:41.7, 13; Debbie Rhode, J 1:41.53, 14; Kayrn Bly th, 1:43.11, 15; Helen Tait, 1:45.57, 16; Judy Forster, 1:42.2, 17; Sandy Richardson J (Nelson), 1:44.48, 18; Audrey ’|Smyth, 1:45.36, 19; Sheila , Duncan, 1:46.0, 20. Veterans (over 35)- — I Teresa Woodham 1; Paulien Rhodes 2; Beverley Tweedie 3; Christine , Connor 4; Sandy Richard- • ison 5; Audrey Smythe 6. I Over 60: Trixie Smith 1.