John Walker rated fourth

Press, 31 January 1983, Page 20

John Walker rated fourth

NZPA staff correspondent Washington “Track and Field" widely regarded as the most authoritative athletic magazine, recognises John Walker's comeback last year by ranking him the world's fourth best 1500 metres runner of 1982. Paul Ballinger, who won the Fukuoka marathon in 2:10.15. is ranked sixth in that event and Mike O'Rourke (farthest throw: 293 ft 7in) (89.48 m seventh in the javelin. Anne Audain. who won every race she ran in the United States, is ranked first for North American women's road events up to 10 miles, and Dianne Rodger seventh. Rod Dixon is given fourth ranking in North American men's road racing up to 10 miles. Lorraine Moller ranks seventh in the North Ameri-

can women's marathon section (she won the Avon in San Francisco in 2:36.13) and Allison Roe. plagued by injury last year, comes in at tenth place in the North American women's 20 to 30 kilometres section with 1:14.10 in the Philadelphia half-marathon. The rankings, computed by an international panel, are based on a formula comprising honours won, win-loss records and sequence of marks. Ahead of Walker in the 1500 m rankings are Steve Cram, aged 22 (Britain). Steve Scott, aged 26 (United States), and Sydnee Maree, aged 26 (United States). This is Walker's (aged 30), highest ranking since 1976, when he topped the list. "Track and Field" notes that last year he ran his fastest mile yet (3:49.08) and that he makes the rankings for the seventh time.

Walker ran 1500 m in 3:33.7 on the way to the mile, but his best time in a straight 1500 m race was his 3:34.30 at the Commonwealth Games. Cram ran 3:33.66. Scott 3:32.33 and Maree 3:32.12. "Track and Field" names an American. Carl Lewis, aged 21, a long-jumper and sprinter, as its athtete of the year. The performance of the year went to Dave Moorcroft who ran a world record 13:00.42 in the 5000 m. “Track and Field's" woman athlete of the year is Marita Koch, an East German. aged 25. who ran a world record 48.16 for the 400 at Athens (voted performance of the year) and is also the world record holder for the 200 m. The magazine is boldenough to make predictions for the track and fi«dd championships in Helsinki in August, with most votes going to Steve’ Ovett as favourite to win the 1500 m. For

the 5000 m they pick Dave Moorcroft. The marathon they give to Alberto Salazar and the women’s marathon to Grete Waltz, with Allison Roe. Joan Benoit (United States) and Ingrid Kristiansen (Norway) all tied in second place’ with the same number of votes.

The magazine names Alberto Salazar and Mary Decker Tabb, both Americans. as its runners of the year.

It places Rod Dixon seventh equal in the men’s rankings and Anne Audain fifth in the women's, with Allison Roe ninth equal. It also carried road rankings, with 200 places for men and 100 for women. The men's list is headed by Kenyan Michael Musyoki followed by Rodolfo Gomez (Mexico) and with New Zealand's Rod Dixon in third place. Paul Ballinger is ranked 102nd and Kevin Rvan 121st equal.