Fifth title for O’Connor

Press, 23 November 1981, Page 18

Fifth title for O’Connor

In spite of a strong easterly wind, which had runners batting to keep a straight course, there was a record of 199 finishers in the big sixth annual Edmonds Tang half marathon of 21 km tor women at Tai Tapu on Saturday. It was the biggest all women's distance run yet held in New Zealand and the numbers, more than doubled last year’s entry and were 10 times those of the inaugural race in 1976. In spite of the difficult conditions, the over-all standard of running was excellent. The New Zealand representative, Mark O’Connor, (University of Canterbury) scored impressively in her fifth consecutive title win for a time of 1:24.56. This was outstanding considering the violent wind which, because of the winding course, was hitting runners

from frequently changing directions. The oldest finisher, Trixie Smith, (St Martins), aged 61, was far from last and caine home looking fit and fresh in a time of 2hr llmin 9sec. The youngest finishers, both aged. 11 were Tracy France (1:56.42) and Deborah Sword in 2:7.39. Runners entered from Auckland, Nelson, Westport, Dunedin, Timaru, Ashburton and North Canterbury. The organisation of the race was excellent. More than 50 officials manned drink, sponge and timing stations throughout the race which started at 5 a.m. outside the Tai Tapu hotel. The race managers, who are both well performed marathoners.

were Ann' Rigg and Lyn Ferris. Results: (registered runners) M. O'Connor (Univ.) 1:24.56, 1; R. Miles (Olympic) 1:27.24, 2; M. Flanagan (Olympic) 1:30.0, 3; S. Taylor (St Martins) 1:30.05, 4; V. Lindsay (Tec) 1:31.7. 5; K. Ward (Christchurch) 1:31.31, 6: L. Mead (Tec) 1:33.25, 7; P. Rhodes (Olympic) 1:33.46, 8; C. Boulden 1:34.47, 9. Veteran: P. Rhodes 1; J. Saunders 2: D. Stead 3; C. McKenzie 4; C. Connor 5; S. Watson 6. Unregistered runners: P. Taylor 1:39.5. 1; V. Spencer 1:37.7, 2; M. Stokes 1:39.27, 3; V. Hunn 1:41.41, 4; L. Smythe 1:42.3, 5; M. Wood 1:42.22, 6; D. Cooke 1:42.57, 7; J. Jennings 1:43.10, 8; J. White 1:44.45, 9; B. Knifer 1:44.52. 10; T. Hill 1:48.22, 11.