Meffan takes road race

Press, 10 November 1986, Page 25

Meffan takes road race

Pat Meffan (University) won the Front Runner-New Balance Big Dipper 10km road race on the Summit Road on Saturday. Meffan, having his first try in the annual race, skipped away to an early lead and was never headed, finishing in 31 minutes 7 seconds.

He used it as part of his training aimed at getting a place in the World CrossCountry championships next year.

The race began on the Summit Road about 2km south of the Sign of the Kiwi, with the half-way point after the Sign of the Bellbird. Meffan reached half-way in about 16mins and did the return half about a minute quicker. Second was Bruce Rattray (Christchurch), who chased after Meffan without being able to catch him. He also is aiming for the world championship, but said that the Big Dipper was just a "blow-out.” Both men will not be seen much more in road races this season as they begin intensive track build-ups ready for a trial for world championship hopefuls on February 1. Stephanie Feldbrugge (Olympic), aged 31, who is in her third competitive season of running, won the women’s section in 41 mins 57s after

leading the women all the way. Lyn Bourke (University) was second with Jo Guest (St Martins) third.

Brian Taylor (University) won the veteran men’s Bkm road championship, organised by the Canterbury Veterans’ Association.

He faced one of the strongest fields for several years

and won in the good time of 29mins 38s, with Jim Macdonald (Olympic) second in 29:52. Georgina Talbot (United), in her first summer season as a veteran (over 35), beat two of the winter season’s most consistent veteran women, Helen Grant and Alison Dahl, both of the Sumner Club, to

take the women’s Bkm championship. The titleholder, Pru Taylor (University), did not defend her title. Results. — Open, men: Meffan, 31:07, 1; Rattray, 31:39, 2; M. Radcliffe (Sumner), 31:59, 3; D. Macdonald (Olympic), 32:01, 4; J. Sheddan (Olympic), 32:02, 5; G. Clark (Olympic),

33:47, 6; D. Christmas (Christchurch), 34:09, 7; P. Crossley (North Canterbury), 35:32, 8; A. Hobbs (Olympic), 35:34, 9; I. McLeod (Methodist), 35:37, 10.

Women: Feldbrugge, 41:57, 1; Bourke, 42:54, 2; Guest, 45:16, 3; W. Adams (Q.E.), 45:59, 4; L. Young (Avon), 46:21, 5; M. Ruki (Q.E.),

46:26, 6. Veterans, men (8km): Taylor, 129:38, 1; Macdonald, 29:52, 2; K. Wightman (Olympic), 29:59, 3; N. Reid (Olympic), 30:19, 4; G. Eng (University), 30:30, 5; D. Neill (Olympic), 30:42, 6; M. Ryan (United), 30:44, 7; R. Grant (Toe H) 30:45, 8; S. Pavitt (University), 30:59, 9; D.

O’Keefe (Christchurch), 31:31, 10. Women (8km): Talbot, 34:12, 1; Grant, 34:45, 2: Dahl, 35:41, 3; M. Orr (Olympic), 36:35, 4; T. Woodham (St Martins), 36:49, 5; P. Boland (Sumner), 37:48, 6; D, Stead (Technical), 38:42, 7; S. Clarke (Christchurch), 38:45, 8.