No end yet for Dixon, Quax

Press, 10 December 1982, Page 19

No end yet for Dixon, Quax

Bv

KEVIN TUTTY

More than 10 years of international racing have failed to dull the appetilies of two of New Zealand's most durable athletes, Rod Dixon and Dick Quax. While in Christchurch at the week-end for the final race in the Countrywide road

series, the pair outlined their plans for the next 19 months leading to the Los Angeles Olympics. Dixon is positive about his commitment. He is disappointed at having to miss the Moscow Olympics in 1980, and then this year not earn-

ing selection for the Brisbane Commonwealth Games. For 1984, he has set the 10.000 m as his goal. When the current New Zealand season is finished he intends to return with his family to his former home town. Nelson, and with guidance from his brother. John, start his Olympic huild-up, interspersed with a couple of marathons. Quax was less determined about his future. The former world 51100 m record holder, and winner of the silver medal in the 5000 m at the Montreal Olympics in 1976, said he was taking his running season by season now. “I guess in the long term, I will train to try and qualify for the Olympic marathon." When reminded that the Olympics were a little more than a year and a half away he replied: "That's right. I will have to make a plan soon if I want to qualify." Quax wants to compete in the international track series in New Zealand next month, but only if the organisers

include a 10,000 m on the programme. He is reluctant to run a 5000 m because his training is now directed specifically at the marathon and 10,000 m. His training in the next few weeks will be aimed at preparing for a 10,000 m during the track series. Christchurch is the likely venue for the event, and Dixon, too, has expressed an interest in running the longer event and a 5000 m in Auckland. The 10.000 m race would bring together Dixon, Quax, Robert de Castella and possibly David Moorcroft. “That would be a great race,” said Dixon. Quax has three marathons planned for next year. The first is the Auckland waterfront race in February. There is a marathon in Sydney in June which he will enter and for the first time, he will run the New York marathon in October. The voluble Dixon is firmly committed to his programme for the next year. When he returns from the United States this week, he will start his preparation for the international track series. He will run only two races. “I will run better if I enter two races and compete at my best, rather than run four mediocre races.” “With Moorcroft and Walker in the field for the 5000 m, it will give me all the incentive I need to come back from the States and start training. “I want to do well in the series to try and prove that I should have been at Brisbane.” After the track series Dixon has a marathon planned, and selection for the world cross-country-championships. Next October he will run the New York marathon, which he missed

this year because of an injury. He has run only one previous marathon, in Auckland early this year. Road racing will continue to be an important part of Dixon's running though. “I am more serious about road racing than I ever was about track racing. You could say I have finally found my niche. I like road raping, but I also think that I never found my true potential on the track.” Reflecting on the last 10 years, Dixon spoke of his continuing maturity —- how he had become less impetuous, and was more content to wait for success. "After the Munich Olympics in 1972 (when Dixon won the bronze medal in the laOOmjYny brother John, who was coaching me. asked whether I wanted to concentrate on the 51100 m or the 3000 m steeplechase in the future.” “I was only 20 at the time and the 1500 m and the mile were the glamour races. I wanted to continue to run those events. John didn’t try and persuade me otherwise. He believed half his job was done if I had my heart in what I was doing. “I have come full circle in the last six years. I drifted away from John. I have come under the influence of other coaches, and now appreciate John’s ideas on coaching. “I resented both Nelson and New Zealand because they were so isolated, but now I realise it takes time — usually several seasons — before an athlete develops fully.” Aged 30, Dixon sees no immediate end to his career. The enjoyment he derives from road racing, and his outstanding ability at this increasingly popular branch of the sport, should ensure Dixon is one of the foremost road racers for several years yet.