Walker sets Aust. mile mark

Press, 15 March 1982, Page 40

Walker sets Aust. mile mark

NZPA Adelaide New Zealand champion John Walker, fighting off the effects of a 48-hour virus, created a new Australian record for the mile at Olympic sportsfield on Saturday evenin o . The 1976 Olympic gold medallist came home in 3:52.5 ahead of a Queenslander, Michael Hillardt. and a Victorian, Pat Scammell. He broke the previous record of 3.55.93 set by the American Steve Scott in Melbourne last January. En route to his mile victory Walker also unofficially broke the Australian 1500 m record. He ran it in 3:36.8, a whisker less than the old record of 3:36.9. Three runners besides Walker and Hillardt also ran a sub-four minute mile. Scammell finished in 3:58.6, Steve Fole.v 3:59.3, and Mark Arens 3:59.4 to narrowly qualify for the Commonwealth Games. -After the race in fine conditions 30-year-old Walker said that despite his illness, he had'-felt capable of running a sub-3:50 time. However. 1:58 for the first two laps “was too slow," he said. Walker said if the race had be held the day before he would not have taken part. He had been stricken by a virus for two days and felt "a bit under” during the race.

Walker said he had finished his summer programme and would return to new Zealand for 14 weeks mileage training. He plans to go to Europe for mile and possibly fivemile events during the' northern summer.

New Zealander Mike O’Rourke won the javelin competition at the meeting, recording a winning throw of 80.92 metres.