Alterations to start, finish for marathon

Press, 29 June 1983, Page 26

Alterations to start, finish for marathon

New start and finish arrangements might be made for next year’s Adidas half marathon and marathon in the wake of problems encountered this year. The race director, Mr Rod Rutherford, said that plans were being looked at which would give a better flow and alleviate the regrettable situation which occurred at Queen’s Birthday week-end. On that occasion, half marathon runners had to complete an extra 430 m because of a late change to start-finish arrangements and the failure of two course marshalls to be in the right position when the first of the finishers returned to Queen Elizabeth II Park. The mid-winter marathon is the largest marathon in the South Island. This year 821 finished the marathon and 1500 the half marathon. The over-all marathon standard was down on last year. Only 10 runners finished in under 2h 30min, compared with 17 in 1982. Thirty finished in under 2:40, compared with 43 in 1982, and 178 finished in under three hours compared with 199 in 1982. Women’s times in the marathon have shown tremendous advances in recent years, but in the Adidas marathon this year, only three finished in under three hours in spite of excellent weather conditions, compared with seven last year. Sgr those who thought it achievement to fin-

ish, then spare a thought for Bob Eathorne, who had already run four marathons this year before going under three hours in the Adidas. Or Tom Bain of the Christchurch Athletic Club, who finished in 3h 25min 36s at the age of 70, improving on last year’s time by nearly two minutes. John Drew, aged 69, was out on the road for 5h 37min. He was last to finish with Kathleen Johnston, also a veteran. It takes a minimum of four months preparation to run a marathon. This was the experience of Don Cameron’s marathon clinic, based at Pioneer Stadium in Spreydon. Of the 35 in the clinic, all but one finished, and the one who did not finish was a doubtful starter anyway because of injury. The fastest of Cameron’s novices finished in 2h 57min. Debbie Rhode has been coaching a group of 19 at Q.E. II Park for the last year to 18 months. Most of them are beginners, and Mrs Rhode says that two completed the marathon and 17 finished the half marathon. The best performance by a young runner in the marathon was that of a 12-year-old, Sebastiaan Bastiaanse, who runs for the North Canterbury club. He set himself the target of 2h 58min and finished two minutes under that time looking as fresh as when he star®. His father,. Tony ran Jf the way with hi(§?