N.Z. runners dominate race

Press, 16 June 1982, Page 33

N.Z. runners dominate race

N'ZPA Washington Hod Dixon ran easily through the rain on Monday to a clear win in a New Zealand-dominated 10 kilometres race through the streets of Washington. His time was 29:04.8. The first woman home was Mary O’Connor, of Christchurch. timed at 34:30.0. Her male team-mates from the Canterbury Road Runners' Club continued their blitzkreig of the United States by taking five of the top 10 places in an average time of 30:01.4. The Kiwi contingent created consternation among the spectators as “New Zealand" came over the loudhailer again and again. The race, mainly flat but with one gentle hill where the U.S. Capitol stands, was a fast one — the first four runners home all beat the course record of 29:41 set last year by the American. Bill Rodgers. Dixon, aged 31. led all the

way. but at about the first mile rpark Warren Sheddan. of Christchurch, eased up to him and kept pace for the next mile or so before fading to finish fourth. The steady rain turned into a downpour as the field of more than 3000 finished. Dixon slipped on a greasy surface at one stage and said afterwards that only his skiing experience kept him upright as he skidded. Second home in the race, a Pepsi regional final, was an American, George Collier, of Virginia, in 29:29.8. Chris Tobin, aged 26, of Timaru. was third in 29:30.9, followed by Warren Sheddan, (29:36.0). John Sheddan, Warren's older brother, was seventh in 30:14.5. Then came Eddie Gray, aged 37, of Greymouth, (30:15.2), another American, and Brian Kennelly, aged 30, of Christchurch (30:30.4). Anne-Marie Keown, of Christchurch, was the fourth woman to finish. Her time was 35:40.8.