Dixon geared up for LA marathon

Press, 24 February 1988, Page 31

Dixon geared up for LA marathon

By ROD DEW One of New Zealand’s most respected international athletes, Rod Dixon, ; intends to cement his selection for the New Zealand Olympic team in the Los Angeles marathon on March 6. “This is what I am geared up for,” for the former Olympic 1500 m bronze medallist said after competing in the 3000 m at the Mita Copiers international track and field meeting at Queen Elizabeth II Park on Saturday. Five New Zealand men and five New Zealand women will take part in the race as a form of Olympic trial. Dixon leaves on Friday for Los Angeles, giving himself plenty of time to acclimatise. “I am aiming to win, and if a fast time comes it will be a bonus,” he said. He is, however, perfectly realistic about his prospects of matching his personal best marathon time of 2hr Bmin 595, set in New York in 1983. “I think I am running well and capable of competing with the best in New Zealand, and still doing well internationally. But the days of a 7min 45s 3000 m and 2hr 9min marathons are gone. A 2hr Bmin 59s marathon is beyond me now, considering what I am prepared to

put into my sport.” Dixon is critical of the tough New Zealand selection standard of 2hr llmin 30s for the Seoul marathon. He is one of only two New Zealand athletes who have run a marathon this fast. The other is Paul Ballinger. "If I was the winner of the world championship last year, I would not have run fast enough to qualify for the New Zealand team. The time is totally unrealistic.” In the Los Angeles games in 1984, Dixon finished in the top 10 with a time of 2hr 12min. “Now they are asking for a time of 2hr llmin 30s just to qualify for the New Zealand team. That time would have darned near given me a medal at the last Olympics.” He considers that such a time at Los Angeles would be almost impossible next month. The fastest time ever recorded in the race is 2hr llmin 50s. Instead of sticking religeously to the qualifying times, he believes that the selectors should simply include the best performed New Zealander at Los Angeles. Dixon is, at least, familiar with the Los Angeles course. He ran a meritorious third there just two years ago, and in spite of

his advancing years remains confident that he is in with a good chance of outright victory. If Rod Dixon has lost a stride or two of pace over the years, he certainly has not lost his sense of humour. After his disappointing fifth place in the international 3000 m at Queen Elizabeth II Park on Saturday evening, he was confronted by dozens of young children seeking his autograph. “They haven’t forgotten you,” observed a passing athlete, obviously impressed. “This is what happens when you go so slow that they can recognise you,” replied Dixon. One young lad seemed unable to accept that the “great man” had been beaten. “Did you win?” he asked, in some confusion. Without the slightest hesitation, Dixon said: “I was first among the over 37-year-olds.” On reflection, Dixon, who will celebrate his thirty-eighth birthday in July, feels that he probably shouldn’t have attempted to run the 3000 m. He was surprised and flattered when he was telephoned by the Canterbury centre organiser, Mr Ray Rose, and on the spur of the moment decided to accept the invitation to race.