200 runners expected in ‘Rangiora 20’

Press, 22 January 1982, Page 3

200 runners expected in ‘Rangiora 20’

By

GLENN HASZARD

More than 200 runners are expected to start in the twenty-fifth anniversary "Rangiora 20" road race from Christchurch to Rangiora tomorrow.

Entries officially closed last week, but the’ race coordinator. Mr Peter Rigg, said that late entries would be accepted before the start at 845 am. in Caledonian Road. The race is usually held in the evening on a week-day. but this time the Canterbury’ Road Running Committee has chosen a Saturday so that runners can have a barbecue and picnic after the race, which finishes outside Dudley Park. Because late entries will be accepted, there are no sure favourites but among the stronger contenders already entered is Brenton Joyce (St Martins), who won the race in 1980 in a time of lh 49min 355. He has the training and racing behind him in the last six months to

easily repeat that performance.

However, his irrepressible urge to scurry to a big early lead is sometimes his undoing. and if the temperatures climb on Saturday he could lose the race to any of several fairly capable runners. Last year. Joyce was leading early, then faded and was not among the first eight finishers. One who could worry Joyce is Andrew Goy (Toe H)' who beat him in the shorter King of the Mountains race in December. Goy should be capable of about 1:50:00.

An even more dangerous rival could be the former Canterbury marathon champion. Cam McLennan (Ashburton). who has been in good form in recent weeks over shorter distances and could be ready for a fast race over this distance. One of the most consistent place-getters in the last three years, Wayne Rouse (St Martins), should again be among the top three or four

finishers. He was third last vear in 1:57:47 and third in 1980 in 1:51:19. Another who will be prominent is Brendan Daly (Rovers), who was fourth in 1980 in a time of 1:52:36. while John Souter (Timaru). who has done so well in ultra-distance races in the last two years and finished fifth in the Rangiora 20 last year, is also among the entries.

Other leading contenders will be Gary Whiting (Ashburton). Paul Farrow. Derek Aikenhead and Vic Sykes (Christchurch). Brian Lang. Nev Reid and Ronnie Stevens (Olympic). ‘ Eric Hunter (University) and Gerald Stanley (St Martins).

The womens record of 2:18:22 set by Margaret Walker (St Martins) in 1980 could be exceeded this year by Christine Burden (University). who swept all before her in long distance running in the South Island last year. She won the women's section of the coveted Nike Citv of

Christchurch marathon in June, and followed it up with marathons in New York and Honolulu. She won the recent Big M 10km road race in Ashburton in an excellent 37min 31s. Also in the field is the women's titleholder. Margaret Flanagan (Olympic), who recorded 2:27:59 last vear. but is expected to knock five minutes off that time this year. This year's course differs slightly from that of previous years.’lt will start as usual in Caledonia Road, but instead of going south to Bea-’ ley Avenue the runners will go north then turn left into Edgeware Road and follow a route into Innes Road where they will connect with the old course. At the finish they will go past the former finish line outside the Rangiora Post Office, turning left into Park Street and finishing nntcido Dndlpv Park

Mr Rigg said the distance had now been rounded off to 32km. which meant it was about 200 m short of 20 miles.