Gilchrist threat to Clode’s defence of 1500m title

Press, 4 February 1987, Page 46

Gilchrist threat to Clode’s defence of 1500m title

By

ROD DEW

“I am feeling confident — more confident than I was last year. People are not doing the times.” Philip Clode (University), Canterbury’s topranked middle distance runner, makes these observations with justification as he prepares for his first major assignment of the season, the defence of his Canterbury 1500 m championship at Queen Elizabeth II Park next week-end. Clode has a best time this summer of 3min 45.45, and nobody else has been close. His personal best is even faster, 3min 435. It will obviously take a very good run to knock the 1500 m crown off his head.

The final on Sunday, however, might. not be quite as clearcut as the rankings suggest. There are some very capable men in the field who have not yet had a chance, for one reason or another, to show their true worth, and Clode is not unaware of their chances.

The runner who presents the University man with his greatest danger is the experienced Michael Gilchrist (Technical), who represented New Zealand in the steeplechase at the Edinburgh Commonwealth Games last year, but who has now switched his attention to the 1500 m and 5000 m. Gilchrist is a former holder of the Canterbury 1500 m title, and is actually the holder of the provincial record at 3min 38.45. He was once one of New Zealand’s most

promising 1500 m men, and he could be again. There is no doubt at all that he has the ability to run 3min 45s next Sunday, and that is probably the sort of time which will be needed for victoiy. His main aim this season is to do well in the 5000 m, so his training has been directed a little away from speed. This was evident last Saturday when he finished out of a place in an A grade 800 m event at Queen Elizabeth II Park. It was not a result which pleased him. "I don’t really know how I will go,” he said, adding that he would be very happy indeed if he could run the final in 3min 455. Clode is aware that Gilchrist holds the key to the championship. “The race could be fast, or it could be slow. It will really depend on what Mike does. If the others take it slow then they will play right into my hands. I am a fast finisher.” But Clode hopes the early pace will be fast, because he would much prefer a fast time to an easy win. There will be more than just two in the race, though. Colin McDonald (Technical), the winner of the. 1500 m championship twice before losing to Clode last season, approaches this championship with an inadequate buildup. A mysterious illness which has kept him out of serious training for the last nine months has been diagnosed as a wheat allergy, and McDonald is

now on a crash training course designed to take him to reasonable form in time for the national championships. Because of his limited background, the 800 m will be his main distance this season, but he still feels capable of running a reasonable 1500 m. “I will be holding my breath to see how long I can last,” he said.

Also in the field will probably be two other Commonwealth Games representatives, Peter Renner (New Brighton) and Dave Burridge (University). Renner, a 3000 m steeplechase specialist, has had a very quiet season so far and will start in the heats on. Saturday. He makes no promises to run in the final.

Burridge, a 5000 m specialist, is expected to use the 1500 m for a blowout before the 5000 m

championship the following week-end. Although lacking the pace of some of the others, he is strong, and if the pace is fast he could surprise.

The women’s 1500 m looks rather more clear cut. Sue Bruce (New Brighton), top-ranked in New Zealand this season, should prove too fast for her rivals. A time of 4min 21s or faster is not unlikely.

Behind her, the battle for the minor placings should be keen. Debbie Tipper (University), who has shown such good form this summer, has a golden chance to lift herself another rung up the ladder of success. But there will be a strong challenge from the experienced Anne Marie Tweedie (University), and the very promising New Brighton runner, Caroline Barrie, also has a very good chance of a major placing.

In the field events, the contest for the women’s javelin championship promises a stern tussle. Kaye Nordstrom (Technical), the winner of the New Zealand championship last season, must be favoured to win on recent form. She appears to be ready to exceed the 50m barrier this summer.

There are, nevertheless, a few trip-wires on the runway to success and one of these is in the form of the Edinburgh Commonwealth Games heptathlete, Lyn Osmers (Technical). She won the New Zealand javelin

championship in 1985, and at Edinburgh threw 48.74 m. Although her effort is now spread over seven events, there is no doubt that she has the ability to press her younger rival very hard.

In spite of his back injury problems, John Sta-pylton-Smith (Technical) seems determined to defend his Canterbury javelin championship. He only needs to repeat the 60m throw he achieved last Saturday and the championship is safe. Elizabeth Ryan (Technical) seems certain to win the women’s discus championship, especially after her splendid throwing in Auckland in recent weeks. A 50m throw in the championship would be a thoroughly deserved bonus. Jan Maxwell, Tania Lutton and Vai Young, all from Technical, can also be expected to throw well.

Chris Barrett (PapanuiToc H) will be looking for a 50m-plus throw as well as a championship win in the men’s discus.

Lyn Osmers is likely to have a busy. time. She must have an excellent chance of winning the women’s high jump, and should also do well in the long jump. This will almost certainly be won for the first time by the Commonwealth Games representative, Jayne Mitchell (Old Boys), who is spending her first season in Canterbury. A 6m leap would be a fitting start to her Canterbury reign.