Pair ‘robbed’ of running records

Press, 12 January 1987, Page 18

Pair ‘robbed’ of running records

Pat Meffan (University) and Marie Stokes (Sumner) were “robbed” of records in the annual Royal Family of the Mountains road-running race on Saturday. Meffan won the King of the Mountain title, covering the 12km from the Sign of the Takahe to Sugarloaf and back in 36min 13s. The record is held by Roger Robinson (University) and has stood at 36min 10s since he set it in 1974. But for the first time on Saturday the race organisers included an extra section of hill at the top of Sugarloaf, reckoned to be worth an extra 255.

Stokes won the women’s section on Saturday in 45:52, easily eclipsing her veteran women’s record of 48:32 set last year in hotter conditions. If the course had been the same as in previous years Stokes may also have beaten the 1982 women’s record of 45:17 set by Christine Burden (University). It may be that Meffan and Stokes will become the record holders of what has now become virtually a new race, since it is longer than previous races.

Meffan used the race as part of his conditioning for a cross-country trial early next month. He is

aiming for selection for the New Zealand team for the world cross-country championships. Meffan is no stranger to hill running. He won the “Big Dipper” hill run late last year and has won the annual Takaka hill climb, among others in Nelson and Otago. He took an early lead and at the halfway mark was a clear two minutes ahead of the next runner, Greg Clark (Olympic).

Clark overtook the titleholder, Chris Cox (Olympic) at the summit and held second place on the run down.

Allan Logan (Q.E.) was fastest veteran in 42:47, well outside the 1978 re-

cord of 38:34 set by John Macdonald (Olympic). Results.—Men: Meffan, 36:13, 1; Clark, 39:13, 2; Cox, 39:55, 3; J. Hill (Anglican) .40:17, 4; P, Crossley (North Canterbury), 40:25, 5; J. Graham (United), 40:41, 6; B. Daly (Rovers), 40:58, 7; G. Bramwell (Christchurch), 41:09, 8; B. Kyler (Queensland) 41:15, 9; P. Smith 41:32. 10. Veteran men: Logan, 42:47, 1; J. Hannan (Southland), 43:08, 2; S. Pavett (University), 43:44, 3. Women: Stokes, 45:52, 1; and first veteran; A Dahl (Sumner), 50:11, 2 and second veteran; S. Taylor (Sumner), 51:21, 3 and third veteran. ,