McLennan fastest in road run

Press, 16 November 1981, Page 21

McLennan fastest in road run

Cam McLennan ' (Ashburton) made a brilliant return to winning form in road running when he took fastest time in the annual St Martins 15-mile road race in hot conditions in Christchurch on Saturday. McLennan recorded a time of Ihr 20min llsec, a good time considering the conditions, with temperatures estimated to be in the mid--203 for some parts of the race, on an out and back course from Gamblins Road to Moa Point. He began from a handicap of 53 minutes behind the front markers, but sliced through the field unfalteringly to finish third across the line in a field of 91 finishers. He failed by one second to snatch second place on handicap when he was beaten in the sprint to the tape by Colin Burt (St Martins). Second fastest time went to a back-marker, Dave MacDonald, in 1:22:25, while his father John took fastest time for a veteran in 1:28:42. Because of the severe conditions about 30 runners withdrew during the race. Several of those who finished were in a distressed condition. Some were completing their first race over the distance. Of the eight women who started, only four finished, and three of them were fit enough to have run the Canterbury marathon championships two weeks

ago. Favourite for the fastest time, Anna Vermuelen (Christchurch) was one who withdrew.

Results.— Open handicap: K. Whiteman (Olympic) off 39 mins behind "go,” gross time 132 min 38sec, net time Ihr 33min 38sec, 1; C. Burt (St Martins) off 43, gross 133:10, net 1:30:10, 2; C. McLennan (Ashburton) off 53, gross 133:11, net 1:20:11, 3; R. J. Lucas (Christchurch) off 34, gross 133:44, net 1:39:44, 4; R. A. Cooper (Sumner) off 35, gross 134:32, net 1:39:32, 5; E. Crawford (New Brighton) off 34, gross 134:44, net 1:40:44, 6; B. Driver (St Martins) off 35, gross 134:47, net 1:39:47, 7 B. Morrison (Sumner) off 34, gross 135, net 1:41:00 8; J. Brownie (New Brighton) off 48, gross 135:03, net 1:27:03, 9; C. Dowie (North Canterbury) off 49, gross 135:22, net 1:26:22, 10. Fastest times: McLennan (Ashburton) 1:20:11, 1; D. MacDonald (Olympic) 1:22:25, 2; C. Dowie (N. Canty) 1:26:22, 3; J. Brownie (New Brighton) 1:27:03, 4; M. Austin (St Martins) 1:27:48, 5; D. O’Keefe (St Martins) 1:28:23, 6; J. K. MacDonald (Olympic) 1:28:42, 7 and fastest veteran; I. Falvey (Lovelock, Timaru) 1:27:58, 8 and 2nd veteran; D. Comes (Avon) 1:29:54, 9; C. Burt .(St Martins) 1:30:10, 10; G. Stanley (St. Martins) 1:30:41, 11; B. Lang (Olympic) 1:31:18, 12 and 3rd veteran. Fastest veterans: MacDonald 1; Falvey 2, Lang 3; J. Instone (QE) 1:34:32, 4: D. Cameron (Cashmere) 1:36:00. 5. Women: Vai Lindsay (Technical) off 32. gross 142:21, net 1:40:21, 1; L. Mead (Technical) off 28. gross 139:36, 2; D. Stead (Technical) off 26, gross 141:00, net 1:45:00, 3 and first veteran, M. Hawkins (St Martins) off 18, gross 145:14, net 1:57:14.