Radcliffe eyes fourth title

Press, 4 February 1987, Page 47

Radcliffe eyes fourth title

Mel Radcliffe (Sumner) will try to make it four wins from five starts when he competes in the Buller Gorge marathon on February 14. He won the inaugural event in 1983 in 2hr 25min 275, then repeated the win in 1984 in 2:23:48, setting a course record which still stands.

In 1985 he won by more than five minutes, in 2:30:05. Last year he finished second to Dan O'Connor, the West Coaster best known as the brother of the internationally ranked marthoner, Mary O’Connor. O’Connor will not defend his title. He has opted instead to start with more than 800 others in the half-marathon. This leaves the way much clearer for Radcliffe, who will use the race as part of

his preparation for the twenty-fifth Brighton Pier 50mile race on April 4.

Radcliffe’s main rivals appear to be Arthur Gempton, of Dobson, and Wayne Rouse, formerly of Christchurch but now of Palmerston North.

Rouse and Gempton, like Radcliffe, will use the race as training for the Brighton 50.

A newcomer to marathons who has the speed to stayhandy is Pau! Crossley, who runs for the North Canterbury club. Neville Turner (Waimea) and Rob Grant (Sumner) look to be the top veterans. Grant’s wife, Helen, will defend her women’s marathon title as she campaigns to defend her Brighton Pier 50 women’s record.

Lorraine Hartigan (West-

port), who won the women’s section in 1984 in 3:09:51, will probably be Grant's main rival.

Both events this year have attracted many runners from the North Island as well as from the South Island. The marathon has 146 starters, about the same as in previous years.

Eddie Gray (Greymouth) who has won the hatfmarathori every year except 1984, when he was beaten by Pat Meffan, is a dear favourite to win again. He holds the record of 1:07:04 set in 1985.

Probably the oldest in the marathon field is Sam McArthur, aged 75, of Nelson. He has been a regular starter in the annual Buller Gorge marathon. He was brought up in the Buller district.