O’Connor set for title

Press, 22 July 1989, Page 34

O’Connor set for title

Mary O'Connor (University) will set out to win her tenth Canterbury senior women’s cross-country championship on a muddy, hilly course at West Eyreton today. Although she was beaten by Debbie Sheddan (Olympic) in the Kennett Cup steeples a fortnight ago, O’Connor thrives on the tough course without the hindrance of the big hurdles which feature in the steeples race and is expected to be too strong for Sheddan. Sheddan was third last year, behind O’Connor and Sue Bruce (New Brighton), but with Bruce in Europe, Sheddan should move up one notch.

Dave Burridge showed with a good win in the Edmond Cup race in Dunedin last month that he is in form to give University the double. The international cross-coun-try representative should win the senior men’s race over 12km.

This would thwart the chances of Bruce Rattray (Christchurch), who has been in the major places for several years without taking the big title. He beat Tom Bimie (New Brighton) to win the Kennett Cup, but Birnie will be tougher this time. Peter Renner (New Brighton), will not defend the title he has held for two years, because

he is on the European steeplechase circuit. With Prue Taylor (University) competing in the women’s race, Christine Jennings (Sumner) should win the veteran women’s race, while Bill Kennedy (Christchurch) should retain the veteran men’s title unless Eddie Gray (Greymouth) decides to run the veteran race instead of the senior men's.

Gray beat Kennedy for the title in 1987 but ran in the seniors last year. If Gray runs in the senior race he will be up against another strong veteran, Kevin O'Sullivan (University), who ran away with the veteran race in the Kennett Cup steeples.