Canty 1500m champion unable to compete

Press, 13 February 1981, Page 24

Canty 1500m champion unable to compete

There will be a new Canterbury 1500 m champion when the: 1981 title is decided over a series of heats and a final at Queen Elizabeth II Park this week-end. Andrew Stark (University), who was such a convincing winner last season, has a groin injury and is unlikely to race again this season — and he is not liking it at all. “I wanted very much to run in the Canterbury cham-l pionship, but the decision has been forced on me. I thought I had a back problem and I have been having treatment for that for the last four months,” said' Stark yesterday, “It has turned out to be something rather different. I have been aggravating the injury every time I have

run. The only way to get right'is-to stop running.” , Stark, . who has been struggling, to reach peak; 1 form all season, is at least now satisfied that he has found the cause. “I was! hoping , this was going to be\ my . best season. Instead, it| has turned out a real;' bummer,” he said. . j A clash between the talented young Technical I runner,- Michael’-; Gilchrist, 1 and Stark in the Canterbury 1500fh championship pfdrnis- . ed to be a highlight of the championships, which will’ be held over the next two : week-ends. Gilchrist, in his : first year of senior ranks, !won the Pacific Conference i Games trial and the oppor-J jtunity to partner John! 'Walker in the Games.

Stark, at the time the ,fasj test 1500 m. runner .in The 1 country apart from Walker, I missed' out;: He would have ' dearly: liked, to make a point to the selectors in the Cam ; terbury championship. Now, t there is only a remote possibility that he will be able to . contest the national chami pionship at Hastings next 'month. Gilchrist, a young man of enormous potential, now seems certain to win his first senior championship. The only athlete capable of giving him real trouble is ; Richard Goldstone .-(Old Boys), who is an 800 m specialist. Post being accepted Tor the championi--1 ships and 'it is not tknown (whether Goldstone will even 'race in. the 1500 m. ' ;