Promoter still hopeful

Press, 17 February 1983, Page 38

Promoter still hopeful

PA % Auckland The Auckland promoter of the proposed international marathon featuring the first clash of the worlcfs best has not given up hope of staging the event. Plans to match Alberto Salazar, of the United States, and the Australian. Robert de Castella. in the annual City of Auckland Pasta marathon in April were dashed when the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association refused to sanction the event. The association cited a number of reasons for its decision, but primarily acted on a telex sent by the Inter-

national Amateur Athletic Federation. The telex, from the I.A.A.F. director. John Holt, said, in part, that the race had been set up at the instigation of an agent. If that was the case. Mr Holt said, it was a direct breach of federation rules and must not be authorised. The promoter, lan Gamble, speaking on behalf of the organising Owairaka Club, said the Auckland race had not been set up by an agent and was an established race. He said he remained hopeful of finding a new date for the marathon and of meeting conditions acceptable to the N.Z.A.A.A.