Strong field for annual 100km race

Press, 21 October 1983, Page 23

Strong field for annual 100km race

One of the biggest, and certainly the strongest, fields to have contested the annual K. B. Gold 100 km race, over the testing Banks Peninsula Hills course will face the starter. Sir Hamish Hay, at 6 a.m. in Cathedral Square tomorrow. Among the invited runners are the winner of the inaugural event in 1977, Detective Senior Sergeant John Hughes, of Auckland. The noted Auckland ultra distance specialist, Gary Regtein, who has set a world best time for 24 hours on the road, will also be there. The Auckland team will also include Richard Tout, who is trained by Regtein, and has recently recorded impressive 100 km times, and Neville Mercer, formerly of Christchurch, who is a three-time finisher in the Port Hills 100 km race.

One of the toughest challenges should come from the New South Wales 50-

mile champion, Tom Gillis, of Sydney. However, the South Island combination of last year’s winner, John Souter from Timaru, his runner-up of 1982, Gary Sword, of Rangiora, Dave Kennedy, another former second placegetter, and Don Mitchell will put up a testing battle.

lan Worters, aged 48, who ran outstandingly to take fourth place in 1979, will also be there. Worters holds a world best time over 50 miles for a man over 45.

Two schoolmasters, who are both three-time finishers, have entered. They are Peter Wolden (Lincoln High School), aged 42, and Frank Collins (St Andrew’s College), aged 59. The oldest entrant is John Drew of the Veterans A.A.C. who is 70. He completed the race in 1980 and 1981.

The course is recognised as one of the toughest as well as one of the most

scenically beautiful 100 km courses anywhere. The record of 7hrs 16min 375, is held by Roger Alcorn of Western Australia and formerly of Christchurch. The resident record holder is Merv Austin, of the St Martins Club — 7hrs 22min 19s. Joan Etwell, of Auckland, has the women’s record of 9hrs 56min 225.

After leaving Cathedral Square the runners proceed to the junction of Dyers Pass and Hackthome Roads. Then follows an out and back loop of about 30km in the Halswell rural area. Returning to Cashmere round the base of the hills, the runners proceed to the Sign of the Kiwi and on to Gebbies Pass, Teddington, Governors Bay, Lyttelton and up Evans Pass. They will run along the Summit Road, back to the Kiwi and down through Cashmere to Boon Hay Road, to finish outside Hillmorton High School.