Tom Biraie snatches title

Press, 25 January 1988, Page 21

Tom Biraie snatches title

By

ROD DEW

A last-gasp sprint by the experienced former New Zealand cross-country champion, Tom Birnie (New Brighton), allowed him to snatch a superb victory from the jaws of defeat in the Canterbury 10,000 m track championship at Queen Elizabeth II Park on Saturday evening. Birnie, aged 35, used his famed cannonball finish to recover from an apparently impossible position and win by less than half a stride from the province’s leading middle distance specialist, Philip Clode (St Martins). The time for the talented New Brighton runner was an excellent 29min 26.975, a first-class stepping stone to the New Zealand cross-country trials at Ellerslie Racecourse next month. Clode, too, has reason to be pleased, in spite of his defeat. He recorded 29min 27.07 s in his firstever finish in a 10,000 m race and is now looking forward to the world cross-country trial with greater confidence. Eddie Gray (Greymouth), a former titleholder now in veteran

(over 40) ranks, carried his age lightly for a welldeserved third place in 30min 475. He earned the distinction of being the only runner not lapped by the duelling pair ahead. For much of the race, Birnie set the pace with Clode right behind. Three hundred metres from the finish, the tall figure of Clode sprinted to the front and quickly opened by a gap of five metres on Birnie. The New Brighton man’s response was not immediate, and Clode must have felt secure on the final bend. He appeared to relax, and’ that was his undoing. Birnie, who has won so many races with his brilliant finishing speed, woun d up his sprint on the final curve and when he hit the finishing straight he had Clode in his sights. Clode dug deep for extra reserves, and found some, but it was too late. Birnie’s momentum carried him to the front just short of the line, adding yet another major title to his already impressive list.

“I wasn’t worried about anything,” Birnie said afterwards when asked if he was concerned about

Clode’s break 300 m from the end. “I was just out for a run. After the initial break, Philip wasn’t making any ground. He didn’t have anything left. When I realised I had a chance, I just went for it.” Clode, who has the potential for great things over 5000 m, had mixed emotions after the race. "I was buggered, and surprised,” he said of the rapid reversal. “I went too early. I have got to remember that this is not a 1500 m race. I was fine for 100 m after I began my sprint, and then it became a struggle.” He was, nevertheless, happy. “I needed a fast time trial as a backup for Ellerslie. The time is okay. That is just what I needed.” Clode’s last excursion over 10,000 m earlier this season ended in disaster, while leading, 600 m from the end. He collapsed with stomach cramps and vowed he would not run another race over this distance this season.

The requirements of the cross-country selectors helped change his mind, but the - race did nothing to endear the distance to him. “It is a

horrible distance,” he said. “I don’t think I will do another 10,000 on the track this year.” Clode plans to double up in the 1500 m and 5000 m in the remaining Canterbury championships. Birnie, also pleased with his time, has his sights on representing New Zealand in the world cross-country at Ellerslie in March. He believes he is now in better shape than he was when he last ran for New Zealand in the world cross-country in Spain in 1981. He intends to attempt the second leg of the Canterbury distance double, the 5000 m, “if I feel right” and will also contest the New Zealand 10,000 m championship in March. Birnie’s fine run was rewarded by his selection as the “Athlete of the Week.” The junior “Athlete of the Week” award went to Richard Lindroos (United) for his splendid run of 3min 54.3 s for second in the first heat of the senior 1500 m. His time lopped a tenth of a second off the New Zealand colts (under-18) re-

cord, set by another Canterbury runner, Elliot Drayton, in 1983. Brent Pulley (North Canterbury) won the race in 3min 54s and the former New Zealand cross-country representative, Bruce Rattray (Christchurch), was third in 3min 56'.75. The women’s 10,000 m championship went to Prue Taylor (University) in 37min 12.35. She established an early lead and held on well to win by a comfortable margin from the outstanding veteran, Margaret Walker (Technical). Her time for second was 37min 37.325. One of the most disappointed athletes at Queen Elizabeth II Park on Saturday was the prominent Wellington steeplechaser, Bruce Melrose. A visit to Christchurch at considerable personal expense in a search for strong competition resulted in an unexpected victory in the Canterbury 3000 m steeplechase — and’ no competition at all. Melrose was the only starter in the senior event, and did well to record a lonely 9min 7.655.