Walkers confident of record

Press, 21 December 1985, Page 72

Walkers confident of record

By ROD DEW An attempt on the New Zealand 20km walking record of Ihr 30min 17s is to be made by Canterbury’s two Commonwealth Games walking prospects, Graham Seatter and Murray Day, in the Countrywide grand prix meeting being organised by the Technical club at Queen Elizabeth II Park this even-

The eleventh-hour decision to add the 20km track race to the tail of the invitation meeting was made at the request of the two walkers, who are both confident of bettering the existing time, set by Seatter five years ago. “I think we are both as fit as we have ever been,” said Seatter, who represented New Zealand at the Edmonton Commonwealth .Games seven years ago. v Seatter is both coach and,

in a sense, a rival of Day. They intend to do the race together, sharing the lead. Both feel that they can improve on the record by two or three minutes. How they will resolve the finish is anybody's guess. They regard the 20km as a stepping stone to the 30km walk which is the distance of the Commonwealth Games event not year. “A solid performance will set us up lor a good 30km walk next month," Scatter said. 1 i-

Both walkers have had considerable experience competing in Britain. Day holds the English 10,000 m championship. ' ■- Their race is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. at the conclusion of other, track events. ■ \ ■ t „ The genial giant of New Zealand athletics, Henry Smith (Wellington), will con-

test both the men’s shot and discus. He holds both national titles and is strongly favoured to win both contests. However, he will have some very worthy competition from the two Canterbury throwers, Mene Mene and Chris Barrett.

Although the clash between Mike O’Rourke (Canterbury) and John Stapyl-ton-Smith (Canterbury) in the men’s javelin will be a big attraction, there will also be much interest in the Women’s event Lyn Osmers (Canterbury), the reigning national champion, will be under pressure to retain her top national ranking.

Catherine Knowsley and another Canterbury thrower, Claudia Hall, have also been making progress and anight be ready for a really big effort.

Lyhette Stock (Canterbury) has shown fine early form and is certain to threaten the Games qualifying standard of 13.74 s in the 100 m hurdles. Cassandra Kelly (Auckland), Kim Peterson (Auckland) and Helen Pirovana (Hawke’s Bay) are others seeking fast times in this event.

Traditionally a feature event, the men’s mile does not have as many stars as last season but is expected to be a hard-fought affair. Mike Molloy (Waikato), an accomplished performer over this distance, will meet old Canterbury rivals in Colin McDonald and Andrew Stark. The man to watch, however, might well prove to be the rapidly improving Phil Clode, who has been the early season in-form middle distance performer in Canterbury.