John Walker clocks first sub-4min mile in Canterbury

Press, 17 December 1984, Page 33

John Walker clocks first sub-4min mile in Canterbury

By

ROD DEW

A supremely determined John Walker (Auckland) took a step closer to becoming the first man in history to run 100 sub-4min miles when he produced a brilliant run of 3min 56.02 s in the Technical club’s invitation twilight track and field meeting at Queen Elizabeth II Park on Saturday.

This was the first mile ever run in less than 4min in Canterbury, and the ninety-second by Walker who now needs to reach the century by February 23 if he is to be sure of staying ahead of his American friend and rival, Steve Scott. The challenge last week by an American magazine, “Runners’ World,” to the authenticity of two of Walker’s listed sub-4min miles persuaded him to begin his campaign much earlier than he intended. His splendid performance on Saturday was the best possible answer to this. There was never any doubt about the outcome of the race, run in calm, warm conditions. A field of 20 lined up, but was quickly reduced to 12 by officials. Bruce Hunter (Canterbury), a former New Zealand 800 m champion, took the field through the first lap in an ideal 58s, and an Australian based in Southland, Ron Neich, led through the second lap in Imin 57s — right on target. Walker made his move to the front at the entrance to the back straight, and from that point it was all over. He simply pulled away from a relatively talented field. He completed the third lap in 2min 575, and stepped up the pace still further for the final lap. The crowd of about 2000 gave him a standing ovation as he raced effortlessly along the finishing straight. When the time was announced, the crowd erupted with joy. Walker was compelled to make a short victory run in front of the main stand, and during this there was hardly a single person seated. The runner-up was the injury-troubled Brisbane Commonwealth Games 1500 m finalist, Michael Gilchrist (Canterbury), in 4min 5.515, a pleasing run for him on only his second serious appearance of the summer. Peter Renner (Canterbury), a finalist in the Olympic steeplechase, claimed third place in 4min 6.505. Walker, understandably, was very pleased with his effort. He was quick to praise the runners who had helped maintain the early pace, and apologised to the organisers of the meeting for not giving them more time to promote the race.

He had not intended to race on the track before Christmas, but the assertions of “Runners’ World” made him realise that an earlier start was essential if he was to make sure of becoming the first to run a century of sub-4min miles. The magazine asserted that two of Walker’s miles were not eligible to be included because one was in a time trial at Mount Smart, and the other a relay. It also "discovered” three more sub-4min miles by Scott, including one run in a 2000 m race.

The magazine was “no authority” on the subject, Walker said. “What it is trying to do is give him three more sub-4min miles and take two away from me.”

There was “a conspiracy” to arrange for Scott to run his 100th sub-4min mile at

the American indoor championships in New York on February 23, he said. Walker seems prepared to adjust his programme on the basis that Scott might now have three more to his tally, but is clearly offended by the suggestion that two of his runs might not be eligible. “They only know that one of the races was a relay and another a time trial because they read it in the back of my book,” said Walker. The relay leg had been run in 3min 57.35, and the so-called time trial had had as many runners in the field as there had been in the race on Saturday. “If I had just listed myself as first in the book, there would have been no question,” he said. “My sub-4min miles are all legit. They weren’t set in 2000 m or 3000 m races, and they weren’t run on the road. As far as I am concerned, I have run 92 and Scott has run 89.” Walker hopes to run his second sub-4min mile of the summer at the East Coast Bays Stadium in Auckland tomorrow, provided he has recovered sufficiently from Saturday’s race. And he. wants to run a third before Christmas. The women’s mile on Saturday was won in very convincing fashion by the former New Zealand road champion, Anne-Marie Tweedie (Canterbury), who is rapidly returning to her best form after a series of injuries. She recorded 4min 54.45. Second place went to

Donna McCartney (Canterbury), in smin Is. . Tony Rogers (Waikato), a 1500 m finalist at Los Angeles, made no race of the 5000 m. He went out on his own soon after the halfway point, and at the finish was half a lap ahead of his nearest challenger. His time of 13min 51.1 s was a careerbest “by about half a minute” and might well encourage thoughts of a move up to this distance in the next season or two. Bruce Rattray (Canterbury) finished second, well behind, but with the satisfaction of beating the former New Zealand champion, Tom Birnie (Canterbury). Don Greig (Canterbury), a marathon specialist, was fourth. Rattray recorded 14min 14.95. “I knew I was in pretty good shape before I came down, but I am very pleased,” said Rogers afterwards. He expressed some disappointment that the field was not stronger. Mary O’Connor (Canterbury) won the women’s 3000 m in 9min 33.96 s with a finishing sprint which belied her status as one of the world’s leading woman marathon runners. Wendy Renner (Canterbury) .appeared to have the race in her control as she led around the final lap, but the tigerish sprint of O’Connor from some 70m out gave her no chance. Renner recorded 9min 34.975. Margaret Buist (Otago) was third in 9min 43.435. The former New Zealand

decathlon record-holder, John Hunt (South Canterbury), stole a march on New Zealand’s leading sprinters with a magnificent victory over 200 m in the Canterbury electric record time of 21.575. He was well clear at the finish. Second place went to the long-haired New Zealand inter-secondary schools’ champion, Dale McClunie (Waikato), in 21.88 s and third to Joe Leota (Canterbury) in 21.95. “I only run a few 200 m races, because it is not a decathlon event,” a delighted Hunt said later. “I am going to run a few more this year because the distance obviously suits me. I don’t see why I can’t get down to 21.25.”

Leota avenged his defeat a fortnight ago by Shane Downey (Auckland) by storming to an impressive victory in the 100 m in 11.125. Hunt was second, McClunie third. The head wind was gusting to 3.4 metres a second during the race, which accounted for the modest time. The women’s short sprints were dominated by Kim Robertson (Auckland). She won the 100 m in 11.83 s from Vicky Lewis (Canterbury) and Bev Peterson (Canterbury). Her time for the 200 m was 23.905, giving her a comfortable win over Peterson, still handicapped by a foot injury which refuses to respond to treatment.