Tom Birnie wins 10,000m title

Press, 4 February 1982, Page 28

Tom Birnie wins 10,000m title

By ROD DEW Tom Birnie (New Brighton) won the Canterbury 10,000 m championship with an effortless solo run in ideal conditions at Queen Elizabeth II Park last evening. He completed the distance in a personal best time of 29min 14.25. This was 44 seconds outside the Brisbane Commonwealth Games qualifying time but quite outstanding for an athlete who had claimed the runner-up placing behind David Moorcroft (England) in the international 5000 m at Auckland a mere four days earlier. Chris Tobin (South Canterbury) was second last evening, but he was never in a challenging position over the last 5000 m. He was more than 120 metres behind at the finish, recording 29min 355; Don Greig (New Brighton). better known for his exploits over the marathon distance, was third in 29min 56.35.

One of the most surprised onlookers at the park last evening was Birnie’s coach, Mr Eric Rowe. He had been expecting Birnie to do speed work training. . “It was just a spur of the moment thing," Birnie, a strong contender for the Commonwealth Games team in the 5000 m, said later. “I came down to the park to do some speed work and decided that since I was here I might as well compete." Birnie’s previous best for the 10,000 m was 30min 40s. so the time represents a spectacular advance; but it

was just about what he expected and he had no complaints about haying to set the pace for all but the opening lap.

“I knew I had to do this or I would not have got a fast time,” he said. Even then, he was never fully extended. “I just ran stea’dily all the way. I was always running well within myself," he said.

Birnie also confirmed that he intended defending his Canterbury 1500 m championship at the park next Sunday and that he would also be a starter in the Canterbury 5000 m championship in a fortnight.

The women’s 10.000 m championship, run in conjunction with the B grade race held earlier, was won by Linda Milne (Univerity) in 41min 31s — her first win in a Canterbury championship. Chris Boulden (Q.E.11) was the runner-up, in 43min 31.35. Murray Dellow (New Brighton) won the B grade race in 32min 39.15. Results were.—

A grade—T. Birnie (New Brighton). 29:14.2, 1: C. Tobin (South Canterbury). 29:35. 2; D. Greig (New Brighton). 29:56.3, 3; J. Sheddan (Olympic). 30:13.3, 4; B. Kennelly (University). 30:21.4. 5; M. Radcliffe (New Brighton), 30:31.2. 6; I. Lawder (Toe H). 30:54.8, 7; R. Sprott (University). 30:54.8, 8.

B grade—M. Dellow (New Brighton). 32:39.1. 1; B. Atkins (University). 32:51, 2; A. Goy (Toe H). 32:56.7', 3. Women.—L. Milne (University). 41:31, 1; C. Boulden (QEII). 43:31.3. 2: M. Painter (QEII). 46:05, 3; J. Tyler (University). 46:36. 4: S. Bush (Sumner), 48:14. 5.