V.M.C. NEWSLETTER AMD 32nd ANNUAL REPORT 1977-78

AUTDM 1978 VOL. 9, No, 4 MARCH 1978

PRICE - 40 Cents

** * * * ** * ** * * -5f * * * * ********* ******** JULA AJZ. v/ V- A wA /% * -X- * -X- **** ** * * * ************ * * ******* * * * * * * * * * * * * * •* * * * ********************* * * * * * * * * * * ** * * * * -* * •* * * * * * * * * * * •* * * * * * ** * tt * * * * * * * ** * 7 * * * ** * *• * * * * * * t \\ M * * * - \ \ ** i.."""j r (j|— ■* * * i / \ x> * * * \,' * * * * * * s * * * * ■ I \\ V!.\ j I * * * v> * * * / * -X- * A * * * * * •* {) * * * { A * * * ■* * * ) /) * * * I . K * * * * * * n * *- * * •X- * * * * \\'V ■* * \ * * * * > \ '\ti * * * * * * * * * \ * * * * ■* * * * * * * * * ¥r * * * * * * * x ** * * * * *• * * * * * * * # * * * * * * ■K* * * * * * * *• * *■ * * * * * * * ■* *• ** * * * * * * * * * * ** * * * * ** * * * * * * * * * * ************•¥•******** * * * * * * * * * ■* * * * ■A- * * * ********************* * •* *** * *■ * -X- -X -H- * -Jf ********************* * * * * THE VICTORIAN MARATHON CLUB NEWSLETTER IS PUBLISHED FOR THE INFORMATION OP MEMBERS OF THE V.M.C. AND OTHER PEOPLE INTERESTED IN DISTANCE RUNNING AND ATHLETICS IN GENERAL. THE V.M.C. NEWSLETTER IS THE EDITORIAL RESPONSIBILITY OF THE EDITOR ON BEHALF OF THE MEMBERS OF THE V.M.C. It is issued four times a year,corresponding to the Seasons(Months)of SPRING (September) SUMMER (December) AUTUMN (March) WINTER (June) All athletes irrespective of sex or age are invited to contribute letters,results, comments, etc, to the Edit or .V.M.C. NEWSLETTER.! Golding St.. CANTERBURY. 3126. Victoria. DEADLINE FOR COPY - 15th February,may,August,November, All contributors are asked to aim for the 1st day of the month, to achieve better production and time-tabling* PLEASE NOTE that material submitted for publication MUST be on single-spaced,typed foolscap,irrespective of length. It is suggested that articles should not exceed one and a half pages of foolscap. Articles for publication MUST be accompanied by the name and address of the contribu­ tor, together with his or her signature. The writer of the article shall retain full responsibility for the contents of the article. THE VICTORIAN MARATHON CLUB IS s OPEN FOR MEMBERSHIP for any registered amateur athlete. COSTS $2 per annum for Seniors, $1 per annum for Juniors (under 19)» CHARGES 60/ Race Fee for each main event,EXCEPT sMarathon (01) & E.Z.10 OOOm(Sl) . 30/ Race Fee Short events. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION - contact the SECRETARY of the V.M.C. David CRAIG,45 Caledonia Crescent,MULGRAVE,3170. MEMBERSHIP AMD MONEYS should be sent to the TREASURER of the V.M.C. 1- George WILSON ,48 Argyll Street,CHADSTONE,3148. RACE ENTRIES (NO MONEY TO BE SENT)-.you pay on actual race days It - and suggestions for fixtures,new courses,etc,should go to ASST.SECRETARY (Competition)s- Fred LESTER,1 Golding St.,CANTERBURY,3126.

ENQUIRIES ABOUT TROPHIES - should be sent to the ASST .TREASURER (Trophies) s- Vic ANDERSON, 11/14 The Esplanade,CLIFTON HILL, 3068. PLEASE NOTE; For track events(Emil Zatopek 10 000,1 hour run,etc)and for the V.M.C. MARATHON,entries MUST REACH the Competition Secretary preferably three weeks earlier,to enable us to inform the media.THE DATE NOTIFIED IN THE NEWSLETTER WILL DEFINITELY BE THE CUT-0FF-DATE feF ENTRY.

- INTERSTATE LINES OF COMMUNICATION - AMATEUR ATHLETIC UNION OF AUSTRALIA Mr.A.L. Morrison , Secretary, 31 Abbott Street,Sandringham,3191>Vic« NEW SOUTH WALES QUEENSLAND Mr.Clive D.Lee,Secretary Mr,John D.Bailey,Secretary, A.A.A. of NSW Queensland A.A.A. 280 Pitt St,Sydney,2000,NSW 33 Wighton St,Nashville,4017,Q’land.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA TASMANIA Mr.E.Ray Graham,Secretary, Mr.Noel- J.Ruddock,Secretary, S.A. A,A.A. T . A«ii. A . P.O.Box 231,Adelaide,5001,S.A. 10 Reynolds Court,Dynnryne,7005,Tas. VICTORIAN- MARATHON CLUB - NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEKPING . NOTICE IS HERBY GIVEN TO ALL FINANCIAL MEMBERS OF THE VICTORIAN MARATHON CLUB THAT THE 32lid ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 77ILL BE HELD ON Tuesday,7th'of March,1978,at 8 pm AT ROBINSON HALL , ALBERT PARK LAKE . Business will include reports of Executive Officers,Elections of Officebearers for the ensuing year and General Business brought forward from members of the club. The Committee is endeavouring to obtain a short film for members entertainment. ********************************************* FINAL ___ NOTICE THIS ISSUE OF THE V.M.C. NETJSLETTER IS THE LAST‘YOU T7ILL RECEIVE FOR YOUR CURRENT FEE. MEMBERSHIP FliES ARE NOV/ DUE FOR THE 1978-79 SEASON.COMvIENCING ON 1st OF APRIL. To renew your membership (or join) print your name and address in BLOCKLETTERS on self­ stick labels and return them together with §2(Juniors u.19 only $1) to the Treasurers GEORGE T7ILS0N Your own self-stick labels should be set out precisely in the same 48 Argyll St. manner as the Treasuer's address alongside this coliamn(forget Mr,Mrs, CHADSTOHS or any other frills).Use your call name to avoid confusion and make Vic. 3148 sure to include the Postcode.so we can obtain postal concession. REMEMBER - Come March 31st,you cease to be a registered athlete and you are no longer a financial member of the V.M.C. An early renewal will ensure continuity. SECRETARY'S REPORT _ _ 1978 It is difficult to condense 12 months of endeavour into a sumnary without missing out what may be important to some people,so much always goes on. Being the year betweon major competitions somehow seoms to be depressing with no imme­ diate target to stir people up and the enthusiasm generated by the previous major event waning.The one event of world standing(for competitors)was the Auckland Marathon which suffered the crowning indignity of being considerably under distance.This "stigma" has taken away from the brilliance of the performances of Dave Cget'le and John Stanley. Both deserves a much better fate tha this. On the local scene,Victoaiian athletes continued to show their dominance and it was good to see the V.II.C. take out the National Team event in Tasrie with Rob Wallace con­ firming his ability .Phil Cuffe emerged in the VAAA Marathon and Dave Byrnes set about getting a mortgage on the VMC title* Lavinia Petrie showed how outmoded the thinking is on women's distance’running by her outstanding debut at Tyabb and her representation of the club at Hamilton.The women, unfortunately have a hard road ahead of thexa if the comments I heard at a crosscountry event,a few weekes afterwards,are any indication of official at itudes.One rotund lady official said to her equally rotund colleague 5 "Lavinia hasn't been the same since that Marathon." Back cane the reply: "No,the human body wasn't meant to do that." What in hell's name was it meant to do ? -Sit in front of T.V. and drive a car to the corner shop ?l? The club itself had a mixed year.Membership has continued to climb and now stands at 504 financial members.Unfortunately,the'work load of coping with the ever increasing numbers is falling on the same few willing shoulders.The V.M.C. is an athletic club run by athletes for athletes.lt is your club and if you are not satisfied with what you are getting from the club,the it is your responsibility to do something about it.Too many people tend to place the blame on "they" without seoing what help "they" need. Last year's A.G.M. was a shining example .With in excess then of 400 members it was impossible to obtain a secretary and one had to be co-opted during the year.The size of the committee has been increased to ease the load from the secretary and treasurer from what it used to be,but still people shy away from these positions.On the plus side the introduction of the rostering system for each event is also starting to spread the load around.With our current events and roster requirements is means that each member would have to help out once in four years to help others enjoy their competition.If missing out one day in four years is too much of a sacrifice to make,then I think you should serious­ ly consider your approach,not only to sport but to life itself.When I started in athle­ tics, I received from a wizened coach the best advice I'll ever gets"You only get back from athletics what you put in." He wasn't only referring to the long miles on a wet winter's night but to the help'and fellowship you extend to your fellow athletes and consequently receive from them. Competition last year extended into longer distance runs with the two hour track run at Collingwood and the fifty miler at Princes Park.As a result of the latter,contact has already been made with NSW,ACT So SA to investigate the possibility of holding annual competitions,in rotation,in each state. The Club Ilandicappers are currently arranging to have handicaps put up on a computer which will not onlt ease their work and speed up the results but could also provide avenues for further events on the club calender.One such event being mooted is a handi­ cap road relay to be held between track and road seasons.Incidentally anyone who feels that other events should be added to the club calendar are welcome to suggest such events and will be givenassistance to get such events off the ground. In closing,may I thank everyone who' has helped me during the past year.May I also wish every success to all V.M.C. members who are aiming at selection for Edmonton.To all of you who feel you could do a job for the club,but for some reason or other don't, please come foraard and make the club an evn better one than it currently is.

David Craig

General Secretary , V.M.C. MARATHON CLUB EVENTS HANDICAPS FASTEST TIMES APRIL 11 1.Arthur KIHGSLAKD 7*43) 53*22 Paul O'HARE 51 29 16km 2.John JOHNSON ;i9 .oo 66:21 Col O'BRIEN 52 15 90 Starters 3.John KIITDNESS ( 8.50J 56*27 Andy COCHRANS 52 54 April 25 1 .'Geoff pbatt ( 6 .09; 40:02 Andy COCHRAN,] 37 23 121cm P.O. 2.Rob WILSON ( 3.42 37*53 Paul O'HARE 37 34 162 Starters 3.Frank fiicNAMARA ( 9.00J 43*16 Ray WILSON 37 47 M Y 7 1.Bob GUTHRIE 4 .57] 110:32 Bob GUTHRIE 1 :50 32 20 Miles 2.Peter LOGAN ’ 24.061 134*21 Kevin ROCK 1 *55 05 78 Starters 3. John. SMITH .30:34) 141 *05 Graham KENIIEDY V 5 5 21 MAY 22 1 .Ron FARNILL ! 20.35] 64*47 Rob WALLACE 47 22 15km 2.Bruce WATT 7.32 52*16 Terry HARRISON 47 35 85 Starters 3.Wally RILEY ^22.07/ 67:14 Max FREELAND 48 01 JUKE 12 1 iPeter LOGAII ,33.10)2:52*21 Graham STRUTHERS(NZ) 2:23 36 MARATHON 2.John SIvHTH i39.30)2*59*17 David BYRNES 2:24 12 90 Starters 3.Ke n DTJXBURI 7.30)2*27*35 Bob GUTIIRIS 2:26 11 JULY 17 1.Alan CLARKE ,21.35) 61*16 Rob WALLACE 63 :17 20km 2.Roger GOULD ,22.41) 83*09 Neil GALE 64 *13 52 Starters 3.Roy THOMAS .19.08) 79*49 Bob GUTHRIE 65 *58 SEPT. '3 1.Stewart HANDASYDE 5.50) 104:50 Stewart HANDASYDE 104;250 30km K.o.M. 2.Bernie CARROLL ,19.00) 118:47 Ken DUXBURY 106 :00 34 Starters 3.Keith McINTOSK ’23.33) 123*27 Ross SIIILSTON 111 :30 OCTOBER 9 1.Bob GUTHRIE 18km 318.60m 10 Miles 52*41 1 Hour Run 2.Ross SIIILSTON 17km 788m 10 Miles 54*09 16 Starters 3.Geoff O'BRIEN 16km 653.10m 10 Miles 58*01 NOVEMBER 2 1 ,7\lan CLARKE 62'.03" Bill SCOTT 47*01 16km 2.J

12kmJ l i . 2 . Nick i'teGUIGANI tVj, LJ U J , U n i M 4 1 . 4 2 Bryce DUNICLEY 38:17 80 Starters 3*Mnrtin D'MALLEY 3 8 . 3 2 Martin. O'MALLEY 38*32

NOVEMBER 30 1.Barbara IRVJNE 3 6 * 0 5 Chris WARDLAW 23*36 8km 2 . Mai. RICHm RDS 3 0 . 3 1 Rcb WALLACE 24:02 112 Starters 3»-*J°hn ALUVN , 27.42. Neil CROKER 24*42 DECMBER l;:John VISSER 35.25' Dave CHETTLE 28:19 12/13/14/15 2iPeter NDQRDHUFF 3 0 , 0 9 Steve AUSTIN 28:21 10 000m E.Z. 3i^on JOHNSON', f 3 0 . 4 4 Andre LAMBDEN 28:49 135 Starters OTHER OUTSTANDING J3RF0RMANCES BY V.MiCi. WZ .3ERS. A.A.IT.MARAPHON ' lOffCASTtLE IjLAmTHON A.A.U.12 000m iC»C .C . 1 .Rob WALLACECVic) " 2:20:11 1 .Arthur KINC-SLAUD 2*32*49 1 .Dave (3IETTLE '35 * 56 .Gerry S.0lllN03 (Vic) : 2.Gerard BARRETT 36*17 2 2 20:35 'TRARALGON MARATHON 3.Steve AUSTIN 36*40 3 .Neix uALE( Tas ) 2:22 *41 1 .Rob JAMIESON 2 *40:26 4.Bob GUBHRIE(Vic) 2*23*01 5.Brian LEWRY 36*54 5.Paul 0'HARE(Vic Ind) 2*23*13 V.A.A.A.MARATHON 9.Rob deCASTELLA 37*18 .Ken DUXBOHT ( Vic Ind) :24*01 1.Phil CUFFE 2:26:47 7 2 BOSTON MARATHON .Kevin R0CK(Vic Ind) 2:24*13 2.Pete HANNAFORD 2:28:16 8 14.Vic ANDERSON 2*21:51 10.Eric SIGM0!IT(Vic Ind) 2:25*26 3.Arthur BOTTERIL 2 * 30 * 00 11.Peter EAICTAFORD(Vic Ind)2*25*52 4 .Rob BROOKE 2*30*55 HAMILTON MARATHON 1 3.Divid BYRNES(Vic) 2:26:21 5 .Paul 0 ' HARE 2:31* 34 1 .John STANLEY 2 *17 * 31 18.Phil CUFFS(Vic) 2*28:45 6, Ron HARRY 2*31*47 2Kevin ROCK 2:22*45 19.Dave ELTRINGIIAM(Vic Ind) :29*58 lO.Stew.H'SYDE 2:29*38 2 CANBERRA MARATHON 11.Ken DUXBURY 2:29*49 1.Chri s WAHDLAW 2 * 27 * 42 For the statistically minded: In the 11 regular main events(not counting the 1 hour) we had 974 Starters,an average of 89.For the minor evemts,held in conjunction^figures for the minor track events not included,except festers Mile)the total was 339(ave •31)j a considerable increase in popularity.Participation on 1 hour program and Run-for-your supper was about 60 odd,the Midnight Run drew 92 starters and there was solid support for longer events run by country clubs. VICTORIAN WIMTER FIXTORES. 1978.(For further information contact local centres) MAR 27 (Mon)VMC 16km & 4M.Princes Park^Ievers St,_2.30pmi APR l6(Sun)VAAA CC Opening APR 8 (S at) VMC Half-Marathon & 10taa. Tullamarine. 2 .30pm ♦ APR 22 Malvern 6 Hour Relay APR 25(ffue)VMC 12km & 4-km F.C. ^Domain.Shrine 2.30pm. APR 21 Kew-Camb 10 Miles APR 29 VAAA 8000m CCC,Bendigo. APR 30 Ballarat Har riers Half-Marathon, 11 am. MAY 7(Sun)VMC 15km & 5km.Albert Park. 10.30am. MAY 20 VAAA Road Relays.Sandown MAY 28( SunjVHC 20km & IQkm.Albert Park, 10,30aia. JUN 10 VAAA 10km,Werribee. JUN 11 (Sun)VMC MARATHON & Mini-Marathon.Tyabb.12.30pm;Dinner-Dance, JUN 17 VAAAlfflRATHON,Point Cook*'’" JTJL f "VAAA I6,000m‘ccc, Jell's Park, Wave rley* JUL 8(Sat)VMC 25kra & 10km,Werribee.2.30pm. JUL 15 VAAA CCRelays,Yarra Bend,C'wood. JUL 22 Traralgon MARATHON - VAAA Schoolboys CC Championships. JUL 29 VAAA 12,000m CCC.Bundoora. AUG 6 AAU MARATHON.Caboolture.Queensland. AUG 12 VAAA 15km,Fisherman*s Bend, AUG 26 VAAA 25km Craribourne. SEP 2 • AAU 12,000m CCC SEP 9 Monash University 10km. SEP 9 VMC 30km & 15km Kin,? of the Mountains,Point Leo, 1i30pm. OCT 8(Sun) VMC 1 Hour Run & Teams Races,"Free for All Track events.(Whose venue ?) NOV 19(Sun) South Me lb AAC Olympic MARATIION^Princes Park, 8.00 am* All VMC conducted runs are underlined. Please note the following additions APR 2(Sun) VMC One Lap Around The Tan. Government House Drive 10.30.Graded Bunches* It is further intended-tw shift the King of the Mountains to SEP 16 to avoid a clsh with the Monash race. Both thses events are subject to approval by the VAAA. Tullamarine starting point is Gladstone Park,tld Lancefield Road,app.2km from Airport. Albert Park races start at Robinson Hall,alongside lake,just behind Basketball Hall. Tyabb Marathon reporting in point is the Motel next to Aerodrome at 10.30am to 12 noon. The- 25km start is at Digger's Road Hall,cr.White's Road,Werribee South. At Point Leo.turn right on the Coast Road at the Pt.Leo Beach trun-off,Hall is 400m up* xxx xxx xxx V. M. C. ROSTER. A list of members has been shosen by random ballot to officiate at the various VMC races during the March-October period.(See above) If you are one of the elect you will receive a supplement with this Nesletter. Those persons on the supplement rtiay. select the event at which they would like to officiate by nominating the event on the bottom of the 1978-79 membership form which is part of Page 2 a of this Ncrriletter.(Read inset below carefulTyl) (Rob JAMIESON and Brian McINERNY are the people responsible for rostering) xxx xxx xxx WE CANNOT DO WITHOUT ADEQUATE NUMBERS OF OFFICIALS. There has been a slackness by members in their efforts to bring persons along for 10,000m, 1 Hour and other track runs,as well as for the Marathon,which threatens accurate recording and course protection.This is entirely in your own interest and if you your­ selves do not make a determined'effort to remedy the situation,npbody else can guarantee that your strenuous races will receive recognition.Without some helpful local bystanders at Doncaster,many of you would have missed out,As it was,your Competition Secretary once again missed out on having a run himself. Apart from this,if there are members,or friends,who would like to assist with time- calling,recording or as race stewards more frequently,without necessarily being on the roster,will they send in details of their intentions tosFred Lester,1 Golding Street, Canterbury,3126.(Please,do not do it by phone l) ***** **************** **********-):- ************ ***** ***** *************************************** ***** ***** *************************************** ***** ***** *************************************** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** As it stands the Roster works this way,in numerical order: ***** ***** „ . _ ***** ***** Nos, 1 -10 16km Princes Park Nos. 11 - 20 •§• Marathon,Tullamarine IHulu ***"** Nos.21 - 30 12km F.C.Domain Nos.31 - 40 15km Albert Park lulu* ***** . ***** ***** Nos.41 - 50 20km Albert Park • Nos.51 - 80 Marathon Tyabb nulu ***** ALL COMPETITORS ASD OFFICIALS MUST REPORT IN 1 Hour PRIOR TO STARTING. ***** ***** *, . ***** ***** *************************************** ***** ***** *************************************** ***** ***** *************************************** ***** ***** *************************************** ***** Changes to the Roster can only be made by notification of the people concerned. THE 1977 OLYMPIC TYZES MARATHON. Bruce Watt. In 1976,the South Melbourne Athletic Club felt that the 20th Anniversary of the 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games should be coraraeraotated by a race,and what better thqn a Marathon. Against much opposition,from within the club and outside,a Marathon with 25 starters was sta;;ed at 8.00am,November 21st.(Won by Gerry Sofianos in 2:21 s23) For 1977 we solicited sponsorship and were fortunate to have Olympic Tyres contribute $600 to .fully meet the costs and' to provide a good selection of prizes.The race was held on November 20th with an 8.00am start.Conditions wore fine and mild,and a, good field of 83 starters set off for 13 laps of the almost flat 2 mile course around Princes Park. Although he was running his first Marathon,Tony Bart of South Australia was the pre­ race favourite,along'with "iron-man"ken Duxbury,who had run a good 2*24*01 at the Aus ;ie Championship s• Another South Australian,Bob Barnard,was also in the field and in h:Ls first Marathon, but \ras known to be pretty quick over shorter distances.The rest of tho field included a good sprinkling of local club runners, 8 from host club South Melbourne, 8 Frankston club men and almost as many from Traralgon.Another South Asutralian,Chris Collins,and a Wewt Australian Vet,A.J.Tyson,added fla,vour to, the field. The first lap snw Tony Bart,Bob Barnard and Ken Duxbury closo in front but the next time round Tony Bart was 36 sec ahead and looked the man to beat if he kept it going. At 6 miles the position was the same but by 8 miles Ian Hands had caught Duxbury .Grant Hardy,Bruce Watt,Hob Orr and Gerry Hart followed. At 10 miles,Tony Bart was well clear of Barnard,52*02'to 55s3^,with Rands(56*05) just ahead of Duxbury(56 j14).Hardy(58s 23) and Bruce Watt(59s44)were strung out,Geoff O'Brien (60*03)had moved through the field from 12th to 7th and Max Carson load made a similar move,while Rob Orr had slipped ba,clc just in front of a large pack chopping and chan­ ging positions. The next 10 miles saw Tonv Bart continue his dominance to ahev almost 8 minutes on the field at 20 miles(l*45*50)*Ken Duxbury,after a long battle had broken away from Rands and Barnard had slipped to fourth.Hs.rdy and Carson were hard pressed by O'Brien and Watt The followed Jeff-Crowley and Gerry Hart and a group of seven runners at 2*05 & 2*06*00. The telling last miles saw no change in the top four but some dramatic slowing down with Tony Bart doing 6*10 pace for the last few miles and Ian Rands and Bob Barnard at just over 6*30's.Fast finishers were Ken Duxbury,Peter Amistead, Peter Logan and Bruce Watt. Notable achievements included Peter Schuwalow,a 14 year-old,who ran 305*27,Brian Elk- ner,on leave froma prison faroa(the man who did all those laps inside the walls of Pentridge Prison),with a very isreditable 3*15*21,Peter Armistead's improvement from 15th place at 8 miles to 8th place at the finish,Alister(Bob)McCartney*s PB 2*52*02 comeback after a two year bout of Hepatitis,and Stan llicholls' (65+) great PB 3*07*50 which must be close to a world ago best. In summary,the course was great,the field large,the weather perfect,ther was an abun­ dance of personal best times and the organisation was excellent. For those that sneer at a 13 lap Marathon,! can only point out that our experience has shown that it produces fast times,eases th<5 burden of administration,and makes for - great spectating.Don't knock it till you try it I ¥0 want a field of 200 next year and you are all welcome!i • X X X xxx , xxx FROM THE STRANGE-BTJT-TEJE DPT. Don Peterson of the Black-and-White column of the Melb.Horald(4/ 1 O/77)had this one* Graham McVilly, three times Sun Tour winner and former scratch rider in the Warrnambool classic,is battling a conviction in Western Australia.His enormous transgression was that he exceeded the 60kmh limit while on a training ride on the outskirts of £erth. True.A policeman pulled up the former champion and informed him that ho had been clocked at 78kmh which was very naughty. The the cop took a critical look at the racing bike,delivered a lecture on roadworthy- ness and booked McVilly again for not having a light - even though it was broad day­ light. Somehow or other the whole thing has ended up in the police computer with the court demanding a §40 fine and McVilly protesting heatedly that he's boon got at. xxx xxx xxx You may not know it but Olympic Park track., has been "stretchd" in the recent patching up operation.lt is now 16cm- (? 6% iuohos)longer than 400m as the plinth somehow edged its way.outwards. . , A strange line appeared about the same time,near the 1590® start,which bears no rela­ tion to any known running event on the track. Handicapping by Computer

Over the last few years* Bruce Watt has spent an average of 2 - 3 hours per race calculating handicaps and finding handicap places. That adds up to a lot of hours!

Tate last year, we decided to computerize the system and that has now been done. The seven events shown here took in total only 2k minutes to do.

A detailed description of the system will appear in the Winter newsletter. However some brief points are worth noting.

Everyone now gets a handicap, including runners in their first race.

Basically, we calculate an Mon form” score based on each personfe performances in recent races, after removing below average runs.

This Mon form” score is turned into a time we expect people to run, if they run true to form. From this handicaps are calculated.

In the complete result sheet*which will be displayed at events, we will show: each person*s points for that race, their average "on form” points based on recent events and the time they would have run if they'd run on form.

These statistics will enable people to compare their current and recent performances, as well as performances over different distances. If enough people insist we print all statistics, we will. They are ommitted here to save room.

Any queries may be addressed to Bruce or myself. And as for the proof that the system works perfectly, Fred Lester just won ft race on handicapl Qeoff

tTFRS « 67 WEATHER * FINFfCOOL : = 2/11/7T DISTANCF = 16000*1 VENUE TWO BRIDGES DATET=RS2/11/77 DISTANCE = 6000M VENUE = T W O _ [SHFRS * 5a DIVISION * NA FINISHERS = 24 DIVISION = NA BRIDGES

NAME TIME H/CAP H/CAP NAME TiME H/CAP H/CAP MIN SC MIN SC PLACE M I N SC M I N SC PLACE 20:32 9 SCOTT BILL 47: 1 0: 0 36 1 TURNEY BOB O: 0 21:28 0:54 9 EQ WALLACE VOHERT 49:57 3:35 32 2 FITZSIMMONS WAYNE 21:35 2:13 3 O f HAKE RAUL Sis 10 4:30 33 3 VISSER JOHN 1:13 9 EQ KEITH 51:30 7:23 12 4 BERRY TONY 21:47 HYLANDS 21:54 2:53 SOFIANOS GERALD 52: 0 3:33 52 5 BANGER ANOREW 2 0 §MALLFY MARTIN 52:5 3 7:23 19 6 LESTER FRED 22:34 4: 7 1 3: 2 4 MCVFIGH 11 REND AN 52:57 8:25 14 7 PILLING NEIL 22:46 22:51 2:15 11 EQ HARDY GRANT 545 7 7:48 31 8 WALDRON KEVIN 11 EG CARSON MAX 54:23 7:31 35 9 ONLEY DAVID 23: 0 2:24 54:41 8:33 26 10 COYNE BILL 23:30 2:53 13 SIMPSON DON 1 9 O'BRIFN 54:58 11:13 9 FQ 11 WOODGATE MERV 23:54 2:37 GEOFF 23:55 3:47 5 LEAR PHIL 55:10 10: z 16 12 HART MATTHEW STAUNTON JOHN 55:43 9:30 20 13 CHETTLE 01 20:14 0: 0 6 EC 24:39 3:59 14 EC DUFF NfWM 55:53 9:55 25 14 ALLAN PHIL 24:39 3: 2 BUTLER EVAN 56: 5 12:34 7 15 TOLLOI RENO 21 ?4:47 4: 7 14 EC WATT 56:13 11: 1 17 16 KEY SUF BRUCE 4:10 16 HASSALl TOM 56:26 10:52 21 17 WITHERS ALAN 24:51 25:58 4:23 20 HART GERALD 56:28 10:37 24 18 DOUSOULIAGOS CHRIS 29: 0 6:27 23 CLARKF JOHN 56:31 11:31 15 19 HART GREG 29: 4 17 MCCARTNEY At. I STER 56:46 12:29 13 20 IRVINE BARBARA 8:11 31: 1 10 1 15 CLIFTON CHRIS 56:40 0:33 51 21 OHLENROTT SUE : 33:22 IRWIN A L 57: 9 9:57 33 22 COLTHUP MARG 11: 6 22 33:22 13: 8 6 MACDONNELL JOHN 57:16 11:43 22 23 ANDERSON MARG FJ 33:22 5:37 24 CONNELLAN J1HN 57:28 11:13 30 24 SMITH PEGGY BATCHELOR DICK 5 7:35 10:18 41 WATERS BRIAN 57:42 14:59 3 KEY STEVE' 57:58 10:47 37 GREFNALL DOUG 58:31 11:11 43 PAT I ON P AlIL 58:50 15:40 5 EQ MCINTOSH K^ITH 59: 5 16: 9 4 LYNCH HARRY 59: 7 15:22 9 EQ BUTKO KON 59:23 17: 0 2 0*ROURKi: MARTIN 59:20 12:13 39 EQ M'lORE- Rl-TER 59:46 12:31 39 FQ GOBEl Jll [■ 60: 4 16:54 5 EO RUTHERFORD F^AIMK 63:27 14:40 23 SMITH JOHN 60:50 16:54 11 : LOGAN PETER 61:17 15:54 18 ' LFFS AI LAN 61:34 14:15 42 i CLARKF ALAN 62: 3 20:13 1 RYCROFT BRIAN 62:40 8:40 57 HARVEY RICHARD 62:44 13:50 53 . MCINTCSH FR( :') 62:47 17:16 20 r DENT fTM 63:42 12:57 56 i ANDERSON NOFL 63:51 17:37 29 > RICHARDS MAL 69:24 20:23 54 ’ CALLAGHAN RAY 64:34 14:40 55 I COLTHUP PET:.: R 65:11 13:25 34 > CARAHFR i*IKE 66: 5 18:33 44 I HERBERT JOHN 66:19 20: 9 27 . BRADSHAW TONY 67:29 19:59 45 ! PORTER m i k : 70:26 22:19 49 S CALLAGHAN ANNE 70:43 27: 1 8 > BFGGS Pi'TER 72: 5 16: 3 58 > KIRKMAN DICK 72:12 24:34 46 > CASSELL IAN 77:32 29:33 47 EQ r cooper PAT 77:37 29:43 47 EQ > EVANS LIONEL 83:25 35:14 50 LRTE«S . * 70 WLATHER = FINE*HUMIO I ■ STARTERS = 26 E = 16/11/77 01 STANCF: = 12000M VENUE = TWO BRIDGES I DATE = 16/11/77 OISTANCE = 4000M VENUE = TWO IISHFRS ■ 69 Dl VI SION = NA FINISHERS « 27 DIVISION «= NA BRIDGE

NAME TIME H/CAPH/CA? NAME TIME H/CAP H/CA MIN SC MIN SC PLACE MIN SC MIN SC PLAC . WALLACE ROBERT 37:78 08 0 41 1 FRAGOMENI NICK 13823 08 0 4 ! DUNKLEY BRYC6 3Mt 17 2:19 5 2 SHEARO JOHN 13:28 0815 3 k 0 fMALLEY MARTTIM 38832 2837 3 3 •VISSER JOHN V 13:50 0: 0 6 ► ERICKSON TIM 38 s 43 1843 23 4 LESTER FRED V 14:38 0815 9 » MCVEIGH BRFNDAN 39: 3 2826 13 5 TOLLCI RENO J 14:51 is 5 5 > KINGSLAND ARTHUR 39:26 2831 21 6 COYNE BILL 15: 2 0835 10 r ANDERSON VK 39845 1835 55 7 WALSH MARK J 15:21 38 4 1 1 DOWLING DICK 39:49 38 0 19 8 MEISELBACH HANS V 15:24 0:50 14 > STAUNTON JOHN 41: 5 3857 30 9 REED BOB 15:34 1:13 7 > MCGUIGAN NICK 41842 8:56 2 10 SMYRK JOHN 15:53 1:31 8 L KEHOE PF.TER 41852 5: 4 16 EQ 11 BENCZE JOHN V 168 7 0:53 23 > CLARKF JOHN 428 4 58 1 25 EQ 12 BYRNES BARBW 16812 3:13 2 1 MCCARTNrY AI.ISTER 42812 5:15 22 13 BRADFIELO BRIAN 17:55 3 :2 7 11 i O'BRIEN GEOFF 42821 3833 59 14 HARDY DEBRA 18838 4: 8 l i > WATERS 3RIAN 42835 58 32 25 EQ 15 PEPPLINKHOUSE LYN w 188 53 4:22 13 > LOOKER CARY 42851 5:47 27 16 IRVINE BARBARA w 198 5 3:46 24 r GREENALL OfMji; 4285R 6:10 16 EQ 17 GUNSTON SHANF J 19858 5 :2 2 15 3 ALGIE Rrw 438 2 6:19 14 18 MITCHELL KEN 20837 5:58 16 5 ELLIS a ri\ 43813 78 9 7 19 GLEEDMAN RUTH 20858 6 :1 7 17 > BATCHELOR DICK 43816 5: 8 53 EQ 20 OHLENROTT SUE w 21s 3 4:50 26 L HARRISON BILL 43819 6859 8 21 ANDERSON MARG 21848 6 :4 6 21 I MCCARTHY T^RRY 43822 7822 6 22 COLTHUP MARG 21843 6 : 8 25 3 OLIVER JOHN 43:27 5830 50 23 BATTRICK BERYL w 22:28 7 :3 9 18 v l o o g i : KEITH V 438 33 5845 47 24 JENKINS JOY w 23: 7 8:14 19 5 ANDERSON jor 43843 68 36 29 25 MIDDLETON SANDRA w 23: 7 l : 6 27 i MOORE METER 43851 5:48 51 26 ORMSHAW ANNE w 23849 8:52 20 r LUKE HILL 43853 6834 37 EQ 27 DUNN HEATHER w 2481? 9 : 1 4 22 * DENT TI ?4 43857 7832 10 EQ 9 YOUNG RTO V 448 0 78 9 20 ) MCINTOSH KEI I H 448 5 6832 43 L RUTHERFORD F»ANK 44812 6:53 37 EQ I WALKFR JC E 44:20 7832 16 EQ 3 BERRY TONY V 45:11 7836 44 V HOWE MIKE 45:12 88 2 31 5 LEES ALLAN 45:15 7828 46 * ESMORF KfcVIN 458 17 12832 1 r BANGFR AMHRFW 458 36 9814 9 * RYCROFT BRIAN V 45:37 3846 68 3 SKINKS PETER 46: 3 8:52 32 EQ ) FOOTE IAN 46:16 9: 5 32 EO I VALLENCE M I K r 46:18 98 7 32 EQ I HUBBERT MIKE 46:29 6827 65 3 SUMMERS HARRY 46:32 9827 28 fr ANDERSON NOI-L V 46:41 10816 10 EQ 5 COLTHUP PF T k R V 46:52 10856 4 5 HOGARTH PHILIP 47: 6 9853 35 r LOGAN PTTFR 47: 14 8 8 56 56 3 ROBBINS ‘TREVOM V 47:22 10837 15 J WALDRON KEVIN 47:29 9840 43 ) TREMBFARTH DON V 47:54 10853 24 I TERRY ART 47:58 8:50 61 ? ONLFY PAVID 43: 22 9858 57 3 HARVEY HI CHART) 48:58 7:54 67 t CARAHE* MIK't 49:19 10: 5 63 > DAVIDSON 10M V 49:22 108 9 62 i HERBERT JOHN 498 26 11834 49 n m O D G A T F MFRV V 49833 108 34 60 3 WEST RICHARD 508 0 11:52 53 EQ ^ b u g g s PETER 508 11 12853 36 ) PORTER MIKE V 50:12 13847 10 EQ L MCLENNAN JIM 50:26 138 6 39 I BATTERHAM DAVE 50:59 12827 58 \ BRADSHAW TONYV 51:43 11849 64 \ MARTIN S i r VI ­ 52:13 14850 40 j WITHfRS AL AN 54:22 13828 66 > CASSELL IAN 55:43 17837 52 1 TAYl-OK CAROL S5:50 18818 42 3 BARKER RICHARD V 5 7: 50 20813 45 J LISTER ROB 57850 12819 69 kKfEHS = 112 WlflTHt.H * BEAUTIFUL rE = 30/11/77 DISTANCE * 8000M VENUE ■ TWO BRIDGFS IlSHfRS = 10'J DIVISION = NA

TIME H/CAP H/CAP NAME TIME H/CAP H/CAP NAME MIN SC MIN SC PLAOfc M I N SC M I N SC PLACE L WARDLAW CHI* I S 2 3 * 3 6 08 0 41 EQ i 73 WALDRON KEVIN 3 0 * 3 5 78 1 3 6 TR I WALLACEROBERT 24s 2 0 * 2 8 36 EQ *■ 7 4 WHEELER GORDON 3 0 * 3 9 6 8 5 3 5 6 Bi i CROKERNEIL 24s 42 2*20 4 EQ 4 75 D A V I S TERRY 3 0 * 4 4 4 * 1 2 105 * DUNKLFY RKYCE 24542 1S46 14 EQ 4 76 Y O U N G BOB 30s 52 75 7 5 5 > KINGSLANDARTHUR 24s 54 2* 3 12 < 77 T E R R Y ART 3 0 s 5 7 6 5 5 2 7 3 j 0«MAL*LEY MARTIN 25s 7 1 8 4 7 2 7 4 78 MCINTOSH FRED 3 0 8 5 9 6 8 4 0 8& £< f MCINERNEYBRIAN 258 8 1*45 3 0 4 MCVEY NOEL 3 0 8 5 9 7 * 1 3 7 9 5 6 I 3 MCVEIGH BRENDAN 25s 12 2*20 13 *1 80 COLTHUP 'PETER V 30559 7523 41 B ? ERICKSON TIM 25s 17 18 7 75 EQ * 81 SHEPPARD WAL V 31s 6 6 5 3 3 92 ) MARBURG OAVE 25s 33 1 * 5 5 4 4 EQ 4 82 BATTRICK PETER 3 1 8 1 6 8 * 4 9 6 L WILSON RAY 25s 49 1826 88 4 83 DOVY JIM V 3 1 * 1 8 r m * ? JAMIESHN ROB 25 s 50 28 1 6 2 EQ 4 84 ANDERSON NOEL V 3 1 * 2 1 7* 2 3 DOWLING DICK 25S52 2* 22 3 5 4 85 B E G G S PETER 3 1 8 2 2 6 * 4 7 93 % VINCENT TREVOR 25*53 28 15 4 4 EQ * 86 HUMPHREYS GRAEME 3 1 5 2 4 7 * 3 7 5 9 E< 5 DRINKWATERPAUL 25s 59 2821 4 4 E Q 1 87 CLARKE ALAN 3 1 8 2 7 68 8 1 0 3 5 SMITH DENNIS 2 6 * 2 1 3 8 4 6 7 4 88 WEST r i c m a r o 3 1 * 3 4 8 5 4 9 11 1 STAUNTON JOHN 2 6 : 3 0 38 2 32 i 89 WPOOGATE MEftV V 3 1 8 3 9 78 25 8 0 6 5 SHILSTON ROSS 2 6 S 4 3 2 8 4 6 6 9 1 90 B A I R D ANGUS 3 1 8 4 6 78 58 6 1 1 £AOOSLAVIC SILVIO 2 6 : 5 1 2* 2 3 90 4 91 TREMBEARTH DON V 3 1 * 4 7 7 8 1 1 9 4 0 HARDYGRANT 2 6 * 5 5 2 * 1 5 9 5 4 92 DAVISON TOM V 325 5 88 1 7 0 B 1 GARNHAMANDREWJ 2 6 * 5 8 3 8 2 3 4 0 4 93 L E S T E R FRED V 3 2 5 1 3 7 8 1 6 9 9 2 HALVERSON MIKE 27* 0 1 8 3 9 1 0 4 4 9 4 MCLENNAN J I M 3 2 * 1 5 8811 7 0 B 3 O f BR I E N GEOFF 27s 1 4 * 2 0 9 4 95 H U N T E R TERRY 3 2 * 2 3 5 8 3 1 1 0 7 * CLARKE JOHN 27s 8 3 * 5 8 22 4 9 6 MARTIN STEVE 325 36 9 * 1 4 2 9 5 ALGIF ROW 27s 12 4 8 3 0 10 4 97 FREELAND DICK 3 2 5 3 6 8 * 4 7 6 2 & IS I R W I N A L A N 2 7 8 1 5 2* 5 8 83 EQ 4 98 HERBERT JOHN 3 2 5 4 6 8*31 82 T GKEENALLDOUG 2 H 2 5 4 * 2 5 17 4 99 BRADSHAW TONYV 3 3 8 3 5 9 * 2 1 8 0 fe 8 HARRY RON 27*29 2*37 97 4> 100 REDEI GABRIEL 3 3 8 4 8 9 8 5 6 66 9 BATCHELOR DICK 2 7 8 3 3 3 * 4 2 65 41 101 BYRNES BARBW 345 7 9 8 5 4 79 GLUCINAPAUL 27s 36 4 * 5 7 8 *r 102 PORTER MIKEV 3 5 * 4 0 98 5 106 1 DORANPFTER 2 7 * 3 8 3 8 5 7 4 7 * 103 CASSELL IAN 3 5 * 4 4 12 8 1 5 33 E 2 LOOKER G A R Y 2 7 * 4 1 3 * 3 5 7 4 * 10 4 SMITH P E G G Y w 3 5 * 4 6 1 3 * 2 4 4 E 3 ALLAN JOHN 2 7 * 4 2 68 22 3 * 1 0 5 MCKERR CLARE w 3 5 * 4 6 118 1 9 6 4 B U T L E R EVAN 27*45 3*28 83EQ * 10 6 IRVINE B A R B A R A w 36* 5 1 5 8 1 9 1 5 MCCARTNEY ALISTER 2 7 8 4 5 4 * 1 1 36 EQ i1 107 LISTER ROB 3 6 * 1 5 8 * 3 6 109 6 RAYMEN BOB 2 7 * 4 7 2 * 3 4 102 4 108 BONF.CKER FRANK V 3 6 * 3 2 1 1 8 2 4 100 7 MACDONNELL JOHN V 2 7 * 5 2 4 1 2 6 4 4 1 0 9 MAfUCUICK BILL 38s 7 14s 3 7 0 E 8 SHEARD JOHN ? 7 s r38 4 8 4 9 20 EQ i 9 MOOREPETEK 28* 4 48 35 33 EQ t 0 CTL l L 1 |I Oc 2 8 * 1 0 58 2 18X w EQ - r I WALKER BRUCE 2 * s l 3 58 17 14 EQ i 2 L Y N C H B A - ^ Y 28816 4 s 58 2 6 3 3 LODGE KEITH V 28823 4 * 4 1 48 EQ STARTERS = 22 W E A T H E R * BEAUTIFUL 4 RUTHERFORD FRANK 28s 27 5 s 16 2 3 DATE » 30/11/77 DISTANCE = 2000M VENUE = TWO BRIDGES 5 a e w T TIM 2 8 S 3 8 5 *13 31 3 FINISHERS * 22 D I V I S I O N = NA 6 GOBEL JOF V 28s 40 5* 6 3 6 EQ 1 7 TANNFR LAURIF 28*41 4 * 5 9 48 E Q H F A T H Ron 2 8 * 4 3 4 * 4 7 68 NAME TIME H/CAP H/CAJ 9 *FISF:LflACH RO B 2 8 8 5 0 5 8 4 1 20 EQ MIN SC MIN SC PLACI 0 MCINTOSHKEITH 2 8 8 5 7 5 8 4 5 2 4 EQ 1 GALLAGHER STAN 5 * 5 9 0* 1 5 4 I m t u e RAY 29* 8 5 s 25 5 0 EQ 2 KING RICHARD 65 6 0 * 3 1 3 2 FALLOON ROB 298 12 48 0 101 3 SKINNS PETER 65 15 OS 21 6 3 WATTIE DENNIS 29814 4545 91 4 FRAGOMENI NICK 6 * 23 OS 0 20 4 LEES ALLAN 29s 22 5 8 4 6 4 1 EQ 5 TREMBEARTH D A V I D 6 * 2 8 0 5 3 3 7 Bi 5 MOLLARO LES 29822 5*12 75 EQ 6 COLTHUP G A R Y 6 * 3 4 0 8 3 9 7 B% 6 MORRISSON BRIAN 2 9 S 2 6 5 * 4 3 5 0 EQ 7 D O U M A J O H N 6 * 5 3 0 8 5 8 7 E< 7 BAF^HR ANDREW 2 9 * 2 8 6 8 1 6 2 4 E Q 8 SMITH JACQUI W 6 * 5 7 1531 1 S H U B S t R T MIKf" 298 38 5 * 2 6 78 9 COYNE BILL 7s 1 0 5 5 0 17 E< 9 HUMPHRIESPAUL 2 9 S 4 7 6 * 4 5 0 EQ 10 MEISELBACH HANS V 7s 11 IS 0 17 E< 3 GRIFFIN NEIL 2 9 8 4 8 6 * 4 53 EQ LI 0 #M A R A MIKE 7 8 5 4 1 5 5 6 1 0 Bi 1 LEVY R A L P H 2 9 8 5 4 6* 1 6 7 12 SWANSON SHIRLEY w 7 5 5 4 1 556 10 Bi 2 VISSERJOHN V 305 0 5 * 5 0 75 EQ 13 H A R D Y DEBRA 8 s 0 25 7 5 3 BEATON LINDSAY 305 3 5 * 4 6 83 EQ 14 B O D E Y LIZ 9S 0 2*58 12 Bi * RYCROFT BRIAN V 305 4 2 * 4 9 108 15 GLEEDMAN RUTH 95 0 2 * 5 8 12 Bi 5 HILDITCH SAM V 3 0 8 1 2 5 * 4 7 8 9 16 ANDERSON MARG 9 5 2 0 3 * 4 7 2 S SUMMERS HARRY 308 17 6 * 5 6 2 8 17 ANOERSON JOAN 98 27 3 5 2 3 14 E< f FRANKEN GERRY 30* 20 6 * 3 6 53 EQ 18 VANVUGT CONNIE 9 5 2 7 3 5 2 3 14 Bi 3 HARVEY RICHARD 30*24 5 * 3 0 98 ! 19 COLTHUP MARG 9 5 5 3 3541 19 3 TOLLOI RENO J 3 0 * 2 7 7 * 2 9 16 | 20 WHITE JENNY 10 S15 45 6 16 ) ONLEY OAVIO 3 0 * 3 1 7 * 2 3 18 EQ ! 21 LOGAN HARRY 125 9 2*49 22 L RICHARDS MAL 30831 9 * 1 2 2 22 YOUNG SHIRLEY 12517 4 5 1 5 21 > WOODRUFF MIKC .305 3 3 6 * 4 7 5 6 EQ i. /MC NFWSLfcrTTFR AUTUMN KARCH 1 9 7 $ V O L 9 NO 4 MOPEKS WliATHFR = FINE, COOL ATE * 12-15 OFC 197/ WSTANCF = LOOOOM VENUE - OLYMPIC PARK INISHFRS = 7 DIVISION = A

NAME TIME H/CAPH/CAP MIN SC MIN SO PIACE 1 CHETTLF DAVE "2 * 5 1 9 05 0 4 3 2 AUSTINSTFVE 28s2l 0 * 1 6 35 3 LAMBOEN ANDRE 2 8 5 4 9 OS 16 52 FINISHERS *- '33 DIVISION = D 4 W H T T T Y LAURIE J 2 9 : 4 0 Is 6 5 3 EQ 5 CUFFEPHIL 2 9 : 5 3 15 1 9 5 3 EQ 6 O'HARE PAUL 30: 4. 2 5 2 6 21 NAME TIME H/CAP H/CAP 7 WELSH HOB 30:38| 15 4 9 8 0 MIN SC MIN SC PLACE 1 GOVAN ANDREW 3 3 5 2 5 4 * 4 7 5 9 m 2 BOWERS m m * V 34s 9 5531 5 9 EQ 3 GOVAN BON 34:10 5831 6 2 EQ 4 WALSH PETER 3 4 : 3 0 5 5 5 0 6 4 E Q 5 ALLAN JOHN 3 4 5 4 0 6 5 2 2 41 EQ 6 VISSER j a t m V 3 5 1 2 5 95 29 1 INISHFKS = 19 OIVISION * H 7 PEPPLINKHOUSE HANK 3 5 5 3 1 6 8 5 0 68 EQ 8 LOOKER GARY 355 34 6544 81 EQ 9 HEATH ROD 3 5 8 3 5 7 5 3 8 2 9 TIME H/CAP H/CAP N A M E * 10 MCINTOSH KEITH 3 5 : 5 5 8538 15 MIN SC M I N SC PLACE 11 CLOSE ALAN 36s 6 9 : 4 1 6 P E T E R 30: 9 45 1 NOORDHOFF 8 2 12 LYNCH BARRY 36s 8 75 50 4 1 EQ 2 K 1 N G S L A N D ARTHUR 30:11 3528 8 13 SKfftNS PETER 36521 8515 36 25 4 3 K I P P GRAHAM 30:15 39 14 RUTHERFORD FRANK 3 6 5 3 0 7 5 5 8 51 25 4 4 COOK BRUCE 3 0 5 3 9 5 5 EQ 15 MOLLARD LES 3 6 5 3 0 8 5 5 0 EQ LEN 22 5 JOHNSON 3 0 : 4 4 4 5 4 1 3 16 COUTTS NEIL 3 6 5 3 7 85 0 5 7 EQ 6 ROCK KEVIN 3 0 : 4 9 2 5 5 1 3 0 17TANNER LAURIE 36538 75 3 9 8 7 D U C K JOHN 30:51 3523 18 E Q 18GOBEL JOE V 3 6 5 5 4 8 5 3 0 4 6 31s 10 8 OUNKLEY BRYCE 3530 22 EQ 19 DUNN I A N 375 4 9 5 4 8 13 EQ C H R I S 3 1 5 1 4 25 39 55 E Q 9 M C C U L L O C H 20 MORRISONBRIAN 37s 5 8521 7 3 EQ 3 1 : 1 9 4 5 5 8 5 10 SHILSTON r o s s 21 BARBER BRETT J 3 7 5 2 0 1 0 535 9 R O B 3 1:21 25 7 89 it WILSON 22 PYETONY 375 37 9 5 4 5 2 7 MARTIN 31523 12 O'MALLEY 3 5 3 7 2 4 EQ 23 LEVYRALPH 3 7 5 4 5 9 5 3 6 3 8 13 HANNAFORD P E T E R 3 1 : 4 2 3 5 3 5 3 7 2 4 HUBBERT MIKE 375 53 8531 9 2 14 DRINKWATFR PAUL 31 : 4 3 3 * 5 0 2 8 25 LOGAN PETER 37S55 9513 71 EQ PAUL 32: 4 4 5 3 8 17 15 B E N N E T T 2 6 H A R V E Y RICHARD 3 8 5 1 2 85 2 1 102 16 STAUNTON JOHN 32s 30 5 5 1 4 1 3 EQ 27GRIFFITH NEIL 3 8 s 2 9 9 8 4 3 7 7 EQ JIM 32 : 3 0 17 SEYMON 4 5 4 1 26 2 8 SHEPPARD W A L V 395 40 1 0 5 2 0 4 4 18 STEVENSON CARL 33s 12 5513 31 29CLARKE ALAN 3 8 5 4 3 1 0 5 2 0 4 5 KFN 3 3 S 3 9 45 8 9 5 19 D U X B U R Y 3 0 HILDITCH SAM V 395 7 95 25 100 31 CALLAGHAN RAYV 3 9 5 2 1 88 50 106 32 MIODLETON DES 4 0 5 4 3 9521 109 33 R F D E I GABRIEL 4 3 5 5 3 135 1 108

INISHEHS * 2t DIVISION = C

NAME TIME H/CAP H/CAP FINISHERS s 2k D I VISION = E MIN SC MIN SC PLACE 90 E Q 1 ERICKSON TIM 3 2 5 3 2 3 5 1 6 45 45 59 EQ 2 OWENS *AY 335 23 NAME TIMEH/CAPH/CAP 3 RANDS IAN 3 35 35 58 5 5 0 MIN SC MIN SC PLACE 4 5 2 7 9 4 4 JAMIESON ROB 3 3:54 1 BANGERANDREW 3 6 5 4 9 9 8 1 6 20 5 MCVEIGH BRENDAN 34: 2 45 1 103 2 STEWART WILLIAM 375 2 8818 7 3 EQ 65 4 6 HART GEHALD 34: 8 3 4 3 TOLLOI RENO J 3 7 8 2 0 1 0 5 2 9 11 7 M E A K I N RP.UCF: 3 4 : 1 8 5 5 3 9 62 EQ 4 COMMONS R U S S 3 7:59 9 U 4 7 5 EQ e HARRY RON 3 4 5 2 1 4 5 4 2 99 5 NICHOLLSSTAN V 3 8 5 1 2 9 5 2 7 7 5 E Q 7 5 2 0 9 SHEARD JOHN 3 4 5 2 3 12 6 RYCROFT BRIANV 3 8 8 1 3 48 57 112 10 ■MORGAN— MORRI S pern V 3 4 : 2 9 5s 13 9 0 EQ 7 DOUMAJOHN 3 8 : 3 1 1 1 5 1 0 16 83 11 STAFFORO JOHN 34 : 3 3 5 5 3 9 8 CAMERON JOAN w 38832 11551 7 65 4 6 4 EQ 12 CRAWLEY JEFF 3 4 5 4 4 9 BATTRICK P E T E R 3 8 8 3 2 11 8 4 3 10 13 G E O R G I MICHAEL 345 56 6 5 1 6 6 4 EQ 10 ONLEY DAVID 38S55 10553 32 E© EQ 14 0 • BR I F N GEOFF 35: 0 6 5 1 4 7 7 11 FARNSWORTH DAVE 39812 10835 57 EQ EQ 15 CLARKE JOHN 35 5 4 6 5 2 3 68 12 TELECKI STEVE 39822 10535 7 9 16 THOMAS GEORGE 355 7 6 5 2 7 6 4 EQ 13 B O U R K E RUSS 39 S 34 1 0 5 5 3 68 EQ 17 GARNHAM ANDREWJ 3 5 5 1 1 65 1 88 14 BAIRDANGUS 39S 46 10539 86 18 A L G I E ROB 355 24 6 5 2 7 84 15 WEST RICHARD 39851 1 1 8 3 7 4 0 19 VERNAL STEPHEN 35:51 7s 9 71 EQ 16 ANDERSON NOELV 3 9 8 5 2 10818 9 7 6 5 4 8 8 7 20 SCHICKERT BOB V 3 5 : 5 6 17 TREMBEARTHDON V 40s 1 1 1 5 3 5 4 7 EQ 65 1 1 0 4 21 MCGUIGAN NICK 36: 8 IB FLETCHER LYLEV 405 8 1 1 5 1 8 ai EQ 45 14 22 HARDY GRANT 365 9 111 19 FAIRBANKS ALAN V 4 1 5 4 9 1 3 8 4 7 3 2 EQ. 23 MACDONNELL JOHN V 3 6 5 1 3 75 9 85 20 CALLAGHAN A N N E w 425 54 14828 47 EQi 6511 2 4 HASSALL TOM J 3 6 5 2 8 105 21 SMITH PEGGY w 435 4 1 6 5 5 8 4 85 3 4 9 2 5 QUICK GRAHAM 3 6 : 3 2 22 TYLER CAROL w 43: 5 15837 18 EQ 26 WALKER BRUCE 37s 21 75 4 9 96 2 3 BONECKER FRANK V 44s 50 175 4 2 4 EQ 27 G fL O U G H L I N DILL V 3 7 : 3 7 6 5 5 0 107 2 4 CASSELLIAN 475 52 1 6 5 2 1 110 28 S M I T H JOHN V 385 2 8 5 1 8 101 29 RILEY GERRY V 38S 3 8 5 4 0 93

Page 10 The EMIL ZA.TOPEK 10 OOOm had to be divided into 5 divisions this time, as 180 entries had been received .Monday night's "D" was divided on the spot by calling for those thought to be capable of'clocking under 38:30 to go first,a total of 38,and. leaving 26 others for a second race.Tuesday night's "C" had uncomfortably warm conditions that only 29 out of 41 starters saw this race out,but it says much for their fitness that only 4 runnels were outside the cut-off time.On Monday, ST AIT NICH0LLS,66,had a worldbest for his age group' in his race,as we ratified 36*55*8 for 6 Miles on the way.He registered a 10 OOOm 3 7*52.2 at Ballarat four weeks earlier for another age group record. The "B" division was run under ideal conditions on Wednesday as the last event on the Australian Schoolboys and Schoolgirls Championships program at 9 *30.It was an exciting race from the gun,with the leading bunch not beginning to break up until past the 5000®. The. three leaders then matched stride for stride having everybody guessing asr to the final outcome,which was decided only in the last lap by a final 60sec circuit on the part of PETER N0RDH0FF. ' , The, highlight of the series, was the "A" on the following night,which becpme a great duell between DAVE CEETTLE and STEVE AUSTIN,with up and coming ANDRE LAMBDEN staying close to just after halfway.ROB GILFILLAN shaced some of the early pacing but called it a day at 5000m and improving PIIIL CUFFE stuck with the leaders for 2 Miles .Dave and Steve see-sawed for a while,but with 3 laps to go,Dave must have sensed a momentary lapse in concentra­ tion by Steve to start piling on the pressure and drawing away to a 25m gap on the bell, a margin too great for Steve to bridge in the run home. The Masters Mile was noteworthy for GEOFF WARREN winning once again in a time only 5 sec slower than his winning time on turning 40 in 1971 11. JACK EYAN's 4*40.4 for second place must rank as one of the best in the over 55 class. XXX XXX XXX The RUN FOR YOUR SUPPER night at Sandringham suffered under a boisterous Easterly and cold conditions but was a pleasant meeting with distance ranging from 100m up to 5000m* Those who weren1t competing at the time helped out with events in progress and no hitches or hold-ups occurred during an hour and a half of continuous action,a credit to the fine spirit within the VMC "With A Minimum Of Fuss",. I 1000m* 1iTerry FISHER 2*36.9 4.Paul BUDGE 2*48 .'6 7.Des MIDDLETON 3*06 2.Phyl WILLIAMS 2*42.9 5.Ross HOOLET 2*52.5 8.Sandra MIDDLETON 3*07 3.Graham LITTLE 2*44*2 6 .Jeff' BAIRD 2*56.0 9.Noel ANDERSON 3*28 3000m 1 .Ross SHILSTON 9.*07.8 6 .Dave McGREGOR 10*12 .11 .Colin HOLLOWAY 10*51 2.Howard COOPER 9*42 7..Tony BERRY 10*25 12.Kon BUTKO 11*21 3.Gary GRINSTEAD 9*46 8.Neil TROWSDALE 10*27 13.Geraldine RILEY . T2* 21 4.Paul CANNY 9*54 9.Lindsay BEATON 10*42 14.Caroline SXHUWALOW 12*24 5.Rex CHUGG 10*02 10.Peter SCHUWALOW 10*45 5000m 1 .Norm McLEMAN 15 * 26.6 11.Howard COOPER 17*01 21.Peter BATTRICK 19 * 54 2 .Martin O' MALLEY 15* 34 12.John SHEARD 17*02 22.John HERBERT 20*15 3.Neil CROKER 16*11 13.John CLARKE 17*07 4 .Rob JAMIESON 16 s17 14.Graham HOLLINS 17*43 5.Ross SHILSTON 16*29 15.Bruce WALKER 17*54 6.Nick McGUIGAN 16 s 39 16.Tony BERRY 18*23 7 .Ian RANDS 16*47 17.Jeff BAIRD 18*44 8 . Rob MEISELBACH 16*52 18.Des MIDDLETON 18*51 9.John ALLAN 16*54 19.Lindsay BEATON *19 *09 10.Joe CAMPISI 16*58 20.Gerry RILEY 19*18 As a guide to clubs wishing to conduct similar programa on their own grounds,the events started with 100m(l heat)jthon. 3000m;10OOmj200m(2 heats)$5000mi400m(2 heast). There was ample time to have me?re "heats of the shorter events, such, as could be used as a basis for a challenge match against one or two other clubs,all fitting in nicely into the 6pm to 8pm time slot .Why waste all those good twilight hours provided by our Daylight Saving period available on weekday nights ? I? XXX i xxx xxx INVITATION TO V.M.C. MEMBSES. Looking for a change in scenery in your training ? The members of the University of New England AAC invite nay "VMC members who come equipped with running gear to join them in the "Glorious New England Region" for a training holiday .Not only does the “ni^ersity have the best sporting facilities( track,squash,gym,sauna,etc)outside of the capital cities but it also has the best climate and environment for training.Just ask Freddie Lester, . John Axsentieff or Gerry Ploeg.On the side there are advantages such as altitude (900m — 1700m),fabulous gorge country for walking,2» hours to. the coast(surfing all the year round) and the friendly company of the Armidale Mountain Harriers.Just give Terry MAGES or John STANLEY a ring on (067) 722 911 ext.2229 or 26l7,or (O67) 721 J16 after hours and we will try and arrange billets.Otherwise write to us c/Uni.of New England,Armidale,2351• TROPICAL DELIGHTS OF STJN RUNITING. Lynne Williams As is becoming customary,the AWAAU again received an invitation to send four athletes to compete in a 10km road race in Guayanilla,Puerto Rico,on November 6th.After consulta­ tions among our National selectors Rosie Bell(ACT),Elizabeth Richards and Yours Truly were duly notified of our selection* Rosie & I set off Sat,Oct.29th and arrived "safely" at San Juan some 30 hours later. Unfortunately the next(and last)65 miles of our journey had to be made by carrnobody had notified PAN A M Australia that the local Puerto Rican airlines were on strike.Meanwhile, Elizabeth had broken her journey with an overnight stop in Los Angeles.Not being accust­ omed to be in bed at the equivalent of lunchtime in Australia,she wandered into the hot&l disco and partook.of some local whisky(slightly diluted with coke),after which she had no trouble getting the regular eight hours.In any event,we wero all installed in the home of our hosts by midnight Sunday.With two double bods to accomodate the three of us,somehow I ended up on my own - there have to be some advantages in being the tallest I Most of the week prior to the race was spent trying to a) overcome jetlag and b) get used to the heat and humidity.Temperatures average around 30-35 C.,but i t ’s the humidity that really saps your energy .Having "done the town" in one morning,we whiled away the hours in various ways* Rosie read two or three paperbacks, I wrote lots of letters and postcards and Elizabeth did tho washing and ironing,and a very good job she did too I Actually,we also spent some time training(usually early in the morning to avoid the heat) and eating in the local western-style restaurant.The latter activity was particularly en­ joyable not only because the food was free(paid for by one of the local American industr- ies)but also because the restaurant was the only air-conditioned building in town.Funnily enoggh,however,after Rosie ordered Lobster dishes three times in a row we found ourselves being given a somewhat reduced menu from which to make our selections I As one of the first teams to arrive,we were all interviewed on radio and Rosie was the star of a 30 min race promotion on National PEFViUnfortunatcly,she couldn’t speak much Spanish,which did limit her ability to participate in tho show - but she looked good I Saturday was the medical,incorporating the sex test.On the medical side,all that is taken is your pulse and (sometimes) your blood pressure.But it is the sex examination that is the most degrading.Rathor than conducting any of the usual chromosome tests,the procedure adopted involved "having a look to make sure you’re not a male"I Not surprising ly we were all declared females.Renee Richards could wish she had it so easy I Sunday was race day.Wo were all told that registration would take place in the local library in the morning.The library itself must be unique in that I saw no books there. The distinguishing feature of the building was that,unlike other houses in Guayanilla, there was glass in the windows'.To deter thieves from stealing the books,I suppose 11 The race itself commenced as scheduled at 3P&.Luckily',although the temperature read 35 C,it cloudod over just prior to the start .The field comprised appr.100 runners, about 40 of them from overseas.At the gun,the locals all took off as if it was a 100m sprint, only to find themselves slowed to a jog(or walk)aftor the first 2km.Meanwhile Monspart, Gorman,Lottis,Angenworth,Steele,Miller,Korik & myself formed into a loading bunch.By 4km Monspart,Gorman & Niller had gone slightly ahead of Steele,Angenworth & Lettis,with Korik well back and me starting to struggle.Things were unchanged at the turn,bu^ shortly after I picked up Steele and then AngenwortiuMiller & Monspart then broke away from Gorman,with Miller accelerating to drop off Monspart after 8km.However,the heat finally caught up with the Canadian and she staggered homo in 8th placo(having been 200m ahead at 4km to go)while the experienced Hungarian finished strongly ,to win from tho evergreen Gorman, and Angenworth running steadily for third.About 30 of the runners,including Rosie Bell, needed medical attention after the race and some didn't make it to the finishing in the advorso-to-distance-running conditions. ■ k Country Time Age Country Timo Ago 1 .Sarotta MONSPART Hung. ■35*44 32 7.Sally STE3LE(/Be«|ch) Can. 37*27 23 2.Niki GORMAN U.S. 35*59 42 8.Shauna MILLER Can. 37*30 25 3.Manuolla ANGENWORTH W.G. 36:03 31 9. '? Mex. 4 .Lynne WILLIAMS Aust. 36:18 25 10.Vera E0RHC Hung. 38*37 31 5.Charlotte LETTIS U.S. 36:23 26 11 .Rosemary BELL Aust. 39*05 26 6.Cornelia BUHKI Switz 37*24 27 12.Elizabeth RICHARDS Aust. 40 s 51 34 Teams? 1 .United States 7 5 2.Hungary 11 j 3 »Canada 15 I 4 »Australia 15* It is interesting to note that the three place getters have at least two characteri­ stics in commons 1.They are .all over 30 years old and very seasoned distance runnels,and 2.All throe have run full Marathons in under 2*40,which puts them into the top ton women Marathoners in tho world.Further,note that no local or tropical country athlete finished in the first 10 This seems to suggest that it is unlikely that tho human body can ever adjust to completely cope with conditions of high humidity(i,0.unlike altitude,acclima­ tisation to .intense humidity does not seem possible even if you live under these condi­ tions all your lifo)Rather,the results suggest that tho more mature .and seasoned runner is better able to cope with extremes in internal body temperatures. TROPICAL DELIGHTS (cont.) ?ost -raco celebrations wo'ro confined mainly ti the Non-race par ticipants,as all the athletes were pretty exhausted.After a superb smorgasbord accompanied by copious quantities of (non-alooholic)liquid,wo all gathered in the clubrooms for a dance,but the Australians managed to stay only long anought to collect our compulsory sou­ venir Puerto Rican sombreros before struggling homo to bcd.Pity really,as the West Indian band looked as if they wore going to belt out the numbers.In fact,I’m sure the trip would have boon far more enjoyable if we hadn't had to race,but,after all: There is no such thing as a free lunch 11 xxx xxx xxx THE CHOYBA INTERNATIONAL MARATHON,AUCKLAND 19/11/1977. Gerry Sofianos. So,what was wrong at the Auckland race ? It was most unfortunate that itendcd in such confusion and controversy.Cries of "Short Course" echoed from North Cape to Bluff(tip to tip of N.Z.)as the news spread of so many runners in the one race had bettered the pre­ vious world best for the distance.Almost perfect conditions,a course which is no doubt fast,and some of the world's best runners sot the scene for an exciting Marathon .Where did it go astray ? The course was measured early on Saturday morning by the Honorary Surveyor of the Auckland AAA,Mr.C,Thorpe,and John Walker's coach,Mr.A.A.Jelley.Both men took independent measurements,the former using his own surveyor's wheel,which is accu­ rately calibrated,the latter using a larger wheel which was checked before the re-measu­ ring began.The two differed by only 9® after measuring for four hours.Mr.Thorpe gave the Auckland Cntre President,Mr.J.Cornaga,an official measurement certificate.The rules state to measure 1m from the curb,or edge of the road,all the .way.Mr Ian Gamble,race manager, and Mr,D.Bird also measured the course exactly to the rules.On the course,you can run on the deqd centre of the road,so it is possible to cut off a lot at the corners.The road around the harbour is very wide with lots of bends. Unofficial measuring of the course straight after the race suggested that it was 600m short.Runners-had to wait until the following week to find out the official measurement of the course.This time the course was found to be 2469m or over 1-g- Milos short of the required 26 Miles 385 Yards.This means that appr. 8 minutes extra would be taken by the top runners to cover the full distnce at average race pace.That makes it likely that the loading finishers would not have lost much ground*But making adjustments to time in Mara­ thons can be a chancey procedure,there is no guaranty that every competitor would have covered the extra distance at the same rate he finished.There are a few guys who reckon the course was legitimate,but they are kidding themselves.While the Auckland course will probably rate a page in historyas the shortest in the world,it is not the only one.Seve­ ral famous overseas courses are also under suspicion^erokClayton's 2:08:33 best is questionable because the course is claimed to have been short for the event in Europe. The matter has never been settled. Dave Chettlo won the Choysa sponsored event in 2:02s24,for the first time in about two years to finish one.Plucky little Italian,Franco Fava,who just failed to pass Chettlo in' a sprint finish,said after the race that has it been the full distance he would have won* Java's time was 2:02:25,he finished 8th at Montreal in 2:14s24.Ian Thompson,3rd in 2:03:32 said he did not think the course was short while ho was running.Ian was a little sur­ prised to learn it was so much short,considering the excellent conditions and the way he has run other Marathons.Kevin Ryan,N.Z.'s first home,in 4^h place with 2:04:41,earned higiself a trip to the Boston Marathon next April.A great run from Kevin as a few-months ago ho dould not run following a chain saw injury,plus two trips into hospital.The "Old Man" of the raco,Jack Poster came in 5th in 2:04:53*Jack was certain from the 5km on that the course was short,Once Jack heard the time we were running,he said to the others that there was something wrong with the distance. Other placings: 6.Chris Stowart(Eng) 2:05:24 - 7 »J°hn Stanley 2:06:46(only 3 weeks after his great win in the Eclipse Marathon,Hamilton,N.Z.in 2s17 s29)-8.Paul Ballinger(NZ) 2:07:07 - 9•Jack Fultz(US) 2:07:13 - 10.Bruce PALmer(NZ) 2:08:11 - 11.John Farrington 2:08:16 - 12.Gary Tuttle(US) 2*08*17» What's going to happen next year in Auckland when they putn this Marathon again ? One thing for sure,I can see a lot of Aussies going over for it,hoping to run a PB,or a World Record maybe 11 xxx XXX xxx OLYMPIC TYRE MIILQS.S PARK,CARLTON, 20-■11-1977. 80+ Starters,Cool,Slight Breeze 1.Tony BART 2:23:00 10.Terry McCARTHY 2:45*57 19.Ian MEMBREY 2:54*13 2.Ken DUXBURY 2:30:30 11.Jeff CRAWLEY 2:46:15 20.Richard JEFFERY' 2:54*48 3 .I a n RANDS 2:35:08 12.Robert ORR 2:47*28 21.Gerry RILEY 2 :56 s11 4 .Bob BARNARD 2:37*37 13.Peter LOGAN 2:47*46 22.Bob SCHICKERT 2:57*45 5.Geoff 0'BRIEN 2:40:12 14.John KINDNESS 2:48:19 23•Joe G0BEL 2:59:06 6.Bruce WATT 2:40:47 15.Max CARSON 2:49:27 24.Paul PATTON 2 s 59 * 58 7.Grant HARDY E n B w m E X X t t 2*42*24 25.Hi chard HARVEY 3:92.11 8.Peter ARMISTSAD 2:44:22 17.Tom HASSELL 2:51*53 26.Chris COLLINS 3*03*25 9 .Gerry HAST 2:45517 13.Bob McCARTUEY 2:52:02 27.^eil GRIFFIN 3*03*30 16.Ross SHILSTON .2:50:17 FROM PENTRIDGE TO PRINCES PARK t A TASTE OF HONEY Brian Elkner The unoxpecyed interest cheated by my eariior articlo(Petridge Marathon,Juno 1977) prompted me to offer a sequel,as two important events have taken place since I last wrote.Althourh I am still a gueat of Her Royal Harness,at least till next Februeary, I am now able to train in a new environment and was,moreover,recently granted leave to run in my first competitive Marathon.Both experiences wore in many ways momentous,and I would like to share them with my fellow-runners while they are still fresh in my mind. I said goodbye to my 77m concrete track in mid-September,when I was re-classified from Pentridge to Won Wron Reforestation Prison,near Yarram.I left* behind some very fine friends,a three year period of painful but positive growth,and some 4> 500 Miles logged on . the tightly-turning trqck in One Yard.My best Marathon time had been 3*03*08,set in Muly (546 laps))I had run the distance nine times in about 16 months,and was looking forward to a wider radius for my circuits. Won. Wron was a revelation.Hills,forests,pastures,and a three foot fence to keep the cows outjbetter food (and more of it),minimum "supervision",motel-type accomodation, freedom to roam the grounds until nine o'clock in the eveningsfbetter access to letters, a weekly phone-call home;cricket matchos against local teams,and the opportunity for more meaningful lab our fBaudelaire oommentd somewhere that the sky is never more beautiful than when seen through the bars of a prison cellJbut I doubt if he ever came out of a prison cell to walk under the night sky and drink the damp sweetness of a surrounding forest.It would certainly never have occurred to him that he might run under a canopy of starsII The road around the camp is about 3sr laps to the Mile(21 laps in "G" Division i) with a slow,gentle climb to a steep 20m ramp,then a plateau followed by a soft descent back to the start.I was quite happy to train on this traclc(Track ? It looked like a Freeway l), and later apply for leave to attend the Olympic Tyres Marathon in 'November.But the Gover- nor(Mr,Ken Lever)had other ideas.He took me out one day and measured off an 11 Mile course on the local roads,then furnished me with a permit of temporary residence in the outside world(He's O.K. so long as ho keeps moving...).Every morning I was able to set off before sunrise to intoxicate myself with new sensations and,incidentally,to boost my mileage for the big event. My leave application was supported by a letter on behalf of the South Melb Athletic - Club(thanks to Bruce Watt),a photo copy of my VMC article(to show tho authorities that I was indeed quite serious about this),and an offer of accomodation from Bruce Walker,a fellow-runner who had shared the pleasur0ssand the pains of the "G" Division track,as a kind of respite from his teaching duties there.Meanwhile,I was suffering from various sorenesses(no more tight turns,a new surface,over-exuberance..)and then an evil bout of dysentry,four days before I was due to go.My daily mileage had however been increased to 12 Miles,and then I had tapered off a little and was trying to stay calm about it all. This last task was not easy,especially since the first day of the leave gave me my first taste of the Outside in more than three years.I had lunch with my wife and three daughters,and we walked around the Botanic Gardens,tried out the Tan together,watched boys vainly fishing for eels in the lake...I was taking pleasure in a thousand1 insigni- ficant'things which had lain buried for so long,and I thought of T.E.Lawrence*s assess­ ment of the fierce longing for freedom which beset the Arabs,whereas in England,people's freedom was like the water they drank,tasteless in their mouths.For me it was a taste of honey,and on Saturday night sleep was clearly out of the question,although God knows I tried. Bruce Walker and I arrived in plenty of time at Princes Park,and joined the crowd in the men's toilets.Runners wer trying not to glare at each other as they jostled for posi­ tion,with one eye on their watch and the other on the incumbents in the two cubicles available.These in turn seemed increasingly tense about the fact that' time was the only thing that was running out .Soon we we re lined up with the eighty-odd starters, and it suddenly hit me that I had come here to do something.Up until that minute I had scarcely given a thought to the run itself;I would simply let Bruce set the pace and try to stay with him as long as I could. It was a good theory,and'I should have had the sense to stay with it.He did the first lap in 13J15>niuttering something about being careful,so we slowed it back,kept it even and concentrated on exchanging repartee with our companions.10 Miles in 67*43 was about right,but unfortunately it set mo thinking about the time and I began imperceptibly to force the pace.The 6th l?ip passed in 13s 16, and Bruce was no longer muttering he said, very clearlys "We' re going to be all dressed up,with nowhere to go".I wondered what on earth the fellow could mean,as we sped around the 7th lap in another 13*l6.Ther's consi­ stency for you 1 It was just after the 8th lap that I began to glimpse the meaning behind Bruce's enigmatic forecast,as my legs turned to. jelly and the -pace simply fell away.As my partner hummed a little tune to himself,I was trying desperately to conjugate French Irre­ gular verbs,but to no avail.The Past Anterior and the Pluspcrfect Subjunctive were indis­ tinguishable by now,and I could hear Bruce saying,somewhere on the' edge of my outer dark­ ness, that we had better forget about three hours and just concentrate on finishing. I don't remember much else about the run.That child on a tricycle was surely infrin­ ging park regulations as he sped past me at the northern end of the course,and I was grateful that those two women pushing.a pram were going in the opposite direction,thus saving me from complete loss of face.And Bruce's shadowy figure was always just ahead, shouting,cajoling, re-assuringf "You didn't come all this way to give up now...". No indeed,but would my legs believe that ? Was I still endowed with legs ? My three daugh­ ters were looking worried as I passed the feeding station,and my feeble "V" sign must have seemed ambiguous to every-one.There was my brother taking photographs.Trust him to arrive late 1 Why couldn't he have been there when I was circling round at 13s16 ? I found myself wondering whether visits would be permitted if I had to spend the rest of my sentence in an Iron Lung.Would I still get full remissions ? Would they even bother putting a guard on me,given that I was not likely to run anywhere again for some time ? The final lap took 19s 31,and that was only on the clock.Then Iheard Bruce Watt yelling at mes"Come on,This is what it's all about.This is what those laps were for..." Bruce Walker and I crossed the line tohether,as I caught him in a crual parody of the final sprint.We were both credited with the same time (3*15*21),but the eagle-eyed officials awarded me the 35th place and Bruce the 36th.You were quite right,Bruce,it wasn't fair, But just think how much your handicap will be let out.Anyway,we both won a spot prize (nearest‘to 3*‘I5)>a-nd since I could hardly take a flagon bale to Won Y/ron,I was given the pair of Thermos flasks,and Bruce was able to drown his sorrows. The organisation had been superb,but more than that: the atmosphere generated by com­ petitors, officials and spectators was imbued with a love of the sport and a sense of comradeship.The" inevitable "high" I felt at having completed the course was increased immeasurably by a whole new set of pleasures.With my daughters cheerfully propping me up b between them,I joined the crowd to applaud the other finishers.I remeber Bruce Watt's words: This is what it's all about.Thiw warmth,this satisfaction.The distance itself no • longer seoms hostile to mejit has become,if not "frien£ly",at least neutralsthe same for every runner,who gets through it the best way he can,and maybe finds part of himself in the process,I must thank those who helped,especially Bruce Watt,Mike Elkner,Mr Lever, and,above all,Bruce Walken?,who knows more than most people what it's really all about, XXX XXX , XXX NOUMEA NEW YEAR'S EVE 1977 . O'Neill A party of .25 left Sydney 29th Lee to journey to Noumea,Capital city of New Cledonia. The trip was organised by Robbie Morgan-Morris,former Australian SC Champion(Robbie's wife Ann now conducts the Portsea Con ditioning Centre, 120 Ba.ck Beach Rd).The main object of the trip was to compete in'the annual St.Sylveste Road Race. The race was run over a very hilly 7 «1km course,it started atx6pm in 35° heat and 250 starters contested the ..individual and team honours .Victoria was well represented with Rob NEYLON, Rob MORGAN-MORRIS,Graeme SMITH(all Melb.Harriers),Paul LIGGERSON(Ment),-Bill HUGHES(Knox & Yets),John YISSER(SSH) & Jim C02ENS(E§s).15 Australians were in the field. The race started in the usual way with the inexperienced runners dashing off to an early lead,but after 1km the athletes took over.Rob Neylon together with Paul Diggerson & Jim Cozens were amongst the leaders with pre-race favourites Alain Lazare & Claude Lepont making a forward move.After 3km the early pace & heat had taken their toll.Rob Ncylong had now taken the lead joined by Lazare .Luring the next km there was a tropical downpour which flooded the streets in a matter of minutes,a great relief for the runners* By the 5km mark Lazare was beginning to show his clas:; and experience over young Rob & began to draw away .Lepont came through to.pass the tiring Neylon laso and that's how they finished,with Robbie Morgan-Morris finishing a very creditable fourth. Highlights of the run were* - How the police cleared the course. - Those motorists who had to park their cars got out & cheered the runners on their way - The local butchor who raced ihto the street with a whole pig, offering it to Lazare if he won - The nmnmt of publicity the race got from the press,both before and after the event. 1 .Alain LAZARE 20 s 45. 9 .Paul LIGGERSON Yearns; 2.Claude LEPONT 21s31 10.Bill HUGHES (Vet) 1.A.S.L.M. 15.Graeme SMITH. 2.Austr.No.1 3 .Robert NEYLON 21s41 16.John VISSER (Yet) 3 .A.M.A.C. 4 .Rob MORGAN-MORRIS 22:12 20.Jim COZENS Morgan-Morris ran in the Open section,so Hughes took 1st Yet prize.Alain Lazare^ran in the Aussie titles 1977.He also ran later in Paris in the French Marathon to finish 7th in appr. 2s22. P.S.We hope to take 50 members for the 1973 event.For further information contact Robbie Morgan-Morris,120 Back Beach Road,Portsea.(STL 059). " T W X X X The Open race was preceded by a Women's race over 3km,with about 30 s t a r t e r s . Bill Hughes' four daughters ran and finished; 8 .Michele - 1 1 .Rosemarie - 12.Louise 17.Marianne to be 2nd in the teams race. MDBLAIJS SEMI-MARATHON Franc 23/10/77 Tarquin OEHR At last,after all these years,a chance for international fame - a weekend in France for the Morlaix Semi Marathon. Following celebrations,we set out at 4an Friday morning for Plymouth, driving through fog and rain but arriving at the ferry with time to spare.Uneasiness over breakfast as we learn that there are 800 starters and behind us sits unshaven David Bedford shovelling down eggs and ham. Arrive St Pol 6pm - met by other club members and driven to our accomodation,18th cen­ tury chateau5keen runners go out training - we adjourn to the dining room for enormous quantities of food and wine to gather strenght for the weekend ahead. Saturday - hearty breakfast followed by walk into the village - uneasiness as race posters adorn the streets,and last year's veterans recount horrifying tales.Training run after lunch to build up appetite for dinner. Sunday morning - this is itjwalk along the beach to steady the nerves 5French athletes arriving by the bus1oad.Lunchtime - just a light salad then - oh nol - beautiful roast chicken,potatoes and Camambert - we watch horrified as the French runners tuck into this plus numerous bottles of wine,with only three hours to go - mouths water;some of us succumb, 2.00 pm - into running gear at last,warm up then jog to the city square for 3 •00pm start. Unbelievable sight - hundreds of runners,trucks with loudspeakers blaring,children with balloons,the whole village out to watch. The usual impossible line-up,then bang and we’re off.Louis and Jean-Pierre sprint to the front to the ecstatic cheers of maman et ses enfants.Two miles before the field spreads out and Bedford badly backfBelgian Schoofs in 30m lead.I sit back - haven’t raced this far for two years|plenty.of sights to see - thousands of spectators and lots of cyclists following and some pacing the runners. Steep climb to Hemvic - half way;feet hurt,stomach unsettled - shouldn't have eaten the Camembert.Downhill again towards the sea then the Morlaix viaduct is visible at the fi­ nish, deceptively close but still 2J- miles to go. Roads lined with spectators - all cheering and offering encouragement not boozed up and abusive as at home.One more mile - runner ahead fading - passed - finish in sight - more crowds,applause,loudspeakers - what an atmosphere . Cross the line in 36th place and wander around dazed - soon revived by a cup of tea,revitalised by a glass of beer and anticipation of the night’s festivities to come.Surely the most "enjoyable",or should I say memorable,race I've run - plans already being made for next years. RESULTSs1.Schoofs (Belgium) 69*27 12.Bedford (England) 72*43 2.Paugam (France) 70*05 36.Your Correspondent 79*16 4»Samuel (England) 71*25 634 finished the distance of app. 14|- miles* (Former VMC Member Dr.Tarquin 0ehr(ran sub 2*40 Marathon in 1975)is now living in- U.K. W o are indebted to Old Scotch AAC for this article from their ITewssheet*) XXX XXX XXX HIE miYALLA MARATHON Trevor Read,Marathon Co-ordinator, 8 Beatty St,WYALLA,S.A.,56OO The next Animal Marathon Championship,the 4th,will be held Saturday,April 15th,1978* Our Marathon is a trophy event and complies with all the standards laid down ,and ambi­ tious as it may seem we are confident that our Marathon could become the. "Boston of Australia".Uniike most Marathons,approximately 36km is run through the tree and garden lined streets of TiThyalla and will be marked with a painted line on the road, so elimina­ ting all possibilities of athletes taking a wrong turn. Trophies and Awards includes 1»¥inner' s name & tame engraved- on the Lawrence T.J.Rees Perpetual Cup on its 2m steel stand,valued well in excess of §1000,with race trophy. 2.Winning Veteran's name & time engraved on the Peter Busch Perpetual Silver Salver which remains the property of the club but can be held by the winner for one year, ■with race trophy. 3.Excluding the winner,first female-and winning veteran the next half dozen or so finishers have own. choice of displayed trophies in their order of finishing. 4 .First female finisher. 5 .Team of three from any one club,Gold Medallions. 6.Certificate of Merit for all finishers. 7.Special Award*All finishers in 3 hrs 30 rain or better will be eligible to enter a draw with a chance to win a return air fare to any capital city in Australia flying Ansett. ■As this is an initial communique,further data will be forwarded as it comes to hand, the previous list of awards will most likely be added to. . TThyalla is an industrial steel making and ship building city of 35 000 people on the western shore of Spencer Gulf,S.A.Tour3 of Steelworks & Shipyard have been arranged for visitors on the Sunday after the Marathon. Entry Forms,race details,accomodation and other information will be available to individuals by enquiry to Trevor Read. (SEE DETAILS ABOVE,Ed.) ECLIPSE M.'JtATHON . HAMILTON . N . Z . 22 - 10 - 1977 Dave Gazley This Marathon was held as usual on the N.Z.Labourday weekend & as ever,a number of VMC hopefuls made the annual pilgrimage to compete in it.. This year,the race was held somewhat in the shadow of thoheavily sponsored"Choysa" Marathon due to take place three weeks later & most of the leading Kiwis opted for that one instead.Despite such opposition over 450 runners chose Hamilton,about 200 more than last year,which goes to show that Marathons are pretty popular in New Zealand.The enor­ mous entry threw a large burden onto the shoulders of race organiser Andy Galloway,but he was assisted to a large extent this time by Max Holmes,very much out of running with a snapped achilles tendon. Conditions were fairly warm,humid & windy,far worse than the cold,wet "perfect" scene of the previous year.It didn’t upset John Stanley though & "The Steamer" disappeared into the lead at a very early stage,eventually to win by over 5 minutes from Kevin Rock. Both ran PB’s I Mike Ryan was 3rd after looking a good bet for second at 20 miles but succumbing to a combination of Hamilton roads & thin shoes over the latter stages. VMC members shared mized fortunes.Kevin Rock was happy,as was Stewart Handasyde who ran a PB for 10th place just ahead of Ken Duxbury who appeared to be feeling the effects of a very hard season.These three easily took out the team award.Others to perform well were Lavinia Petrie,2nd woman home with a 2*55*31 & Roger Gould in his 3rd Marathon in * his first season in 3*03*31. Now for the bad news.Bob Guthrie,Dave Byrnes & Dave Gazley suffered from a variety of ailments & failed to finish while poor John Duck,who had bean suffering everything durSng the preceding week,was not even able to start. A very successful day was concluded by a tremendous dinner-dance & presentation at a local motel & we know where they got this idea from.Highlights for us were Handasyde proving that he was a far better Marathon rpiner than a singer & Duxbury not only dancing ksc& but after a short while actually enjoying it,so it appeared! 1 .John STANLEY(Rand-Bot) 2*17*38 10.Stewart HANDASYDE(0.Scotch) 2*29*38 2.Kevin ROGK(Kew-Camb) 2*22*45 11.Ken DUXBURY(Kow-Camb) 2*29*49 3.Mike RYAN(Manurewa) 2*23*55 44 »G. SMALL (Canberra) 4 .Mark TR0TMAN(Glen Eden) 2*24*25 51 .Bev SHINGLE(Wanganui) 2*47*16 5.C.Pni0NE( Wellington) 2*25*33 84.Lavinia PETRIE(Ringwood) 2*55*31 6.M.CULLUM(Owairaka) 2s26:07 98.Ian HOWE (NSW) 7.L.PURDY(New Plymouth) 2*28*39 124.Roger GOULD (Vic) 3*03*31 8 ,Julian SC0TT(St.George) 2*28:50 249.Bob LAUGHTON (Vic) 9«T.MADDAF0HD(Owairaka) 2 * 29 * 32 Teams sVMQ 23 - Owairaka 4"! - Manurewa 42• Womens 1.Bev SHT.IGLES(Wanganui)2:47:16 -2.Lavinia PETRIE 2*55*31 -3#S.CA7JKvJELL 3*31*12. XXX XXX XXX MODIFIED MADNESS - Tig! WELLINGTON WHEELBARROW RACE. Dave Gazley It can be said with some justification that all distance runners are mad,so it was inte­ resting for a couple of Aus ies to observe a form of Kiwi madness when in N.Z.recently. This incredible event which one has to see to really believe was the Mt Wellinton Wheel­ barrow race,hold the week before the Hamilton Marathon. The race consits of a steop 900Mfoot(275^0 climb up the road to the summit of Mount Wellinton,a mad scramble down the side of the mountain(it’s very rough and almost verti- cal)to the road & the a fast downhill run on the road to tho finish.Total distance app. 2 miles.Each Barrow lias a crew of 4>2 pulling on ropes at the front,one pushing on the handlebars behind & 1 passenger.Positions are changed frequently so each crew member can experience each type of suffering.The passenger is meant to stay in the barrow but fall­ ing out is not prohibited & is in fact a practice frequently indulged in,especially coming down the mountain.The passenger must immediately remount,within I think 20 yards, should he still be capable of so doing. For the last 13 years the race has been dominated by a crew known as "The Old Mates",who who had been given increasing opposition from the Manurews Harriers crew.This year Manu- rewa were determined to knock off the Old Mates & did so in style,breaking the course record by 30 sec in the process.The Old Mates also broke the record.Manure?/a took the lead just before the top of the mountain,managed to lose a lot of it going down the rough part & then flew down the road to tho finish line where the main problem was to keep up with the barrow.The race was very much between these two crews with long gaps between the other 7 entrants. The'wheelbarrow race was the main event in a series of short road races around the slopes of Mt Wellington for men,women & juniors.The start & finish was on a 4 lane highway,half of which was closed off for the aftornoon.Opposite the finish line was a pub which was a useful place for it tobe. xxx xxx xxx Bernie Vine,a previous winner of the "Eclipse" managed only 23th in 2*38*33 this time. THE PRE-P.C.G. CANBERRA MARATHON, 2-12-1977 Phil Lear The unfortunate thing about being a member of South Melbourne Athletic Club is that one feels out of it unless you complete at least one Marathon a year .Due to persistent injury and other problems I had started to think 1977 might go by wihtou adding one more. However,I journeyed up to Canberra for the Marathon on Doc. 2nd,the Friday before the Pacific Games.The course was basically out and back,repeated twice,and running along the edge of Lake Burley Griffin. The day proved both warm and windy which slowed down tines drastically.Some estimates went for 10-15 minutes,but I’m inclined to think the conditions might have added 5 to 8 at the moat.Given good condition^, and putting out.; 100$ effort I thought I might be worth 2s38 in view of my very limited background this year.Anyway,I thought discretion may be in order under the conditions,so after working hard just to get 30*07 for 5 miles I eased off & made sure I had enough left to get to the finish.As it turned out,the last 6 or so proved to be the easiest .The temperature had dropped & the sun was now quite low, one advantage of a late start (4 «30pm). The locals proved to be most courteous'.Car bound Canberra-ites actually pulled off the road as you approached - the pedestrian types clapped - and the policemen hold up traffic as if you were the most important thing on the road.I understand from John Harding (the organiser) that over 60 people were out on the course acting as officials and they managed to record times at just about every mile post.The most significant split that comes to mind(apart from my lung-searing 30s07 for 5) is Chris Wardlaw’s 9*29 between 13 and 15 miles.Wardlaw wont on to win,looking untroubled by all accounts,from Jim Longford of W.A. and Grenville Wood of S.A. Approximately half the field failed to finish,although a lot were trying to a long one obviously for the first time,and picked a difficult day.The Canberra Crosscountry Club had difficulty getting the Marathon start time approved, evidently it clashed with the Games Officials cocktail party .No offical help was requested,but Peter Lucas was the only one to offer his services and he was out on the road recording 10km and halfway times. Congratulations are duo to everyone concerned with the organisation.Apart from the weather it was really an ideal Marathon. tiChxis mHDLAT7(Vio) 2*27*42 10.Alan WILSON(ACT) 2*43*59 ■*» , , , 2.Jim LANGFORD (¥A) 2*30*59 11,Ted BLA‘23JAK(ACT) 2*43*59 14 aore under 3 hours. 3.Grenville W00D(SA) 2*35*58 12.Graham B A E ’ALET( q ) 2*44*41 ftt- -.M . . 4 .Eric SIGMOITT(Vic)2*37*37 13i'Vic BYRNE(NSW) 2*47*18 5unisners 5.Kevin TAYL0R(lTS7) 2*39*37 1 4.Bernie MILLETT(ACT)2*47 s20 6;Ron GRIBBLE(ESW)2*39*57 1 Vet 15.Chris JONES(WA) 2*47*38 7.John GERAGHTY(NSW) 2*40*31 l6.Phil LEAR(Vic) 2*48*07 8*Ian CMHPBELL(NSW) 2*41*27 17.Geoff THORSON(NSW) 2*48*50 9.Jaako LAAJOKl(NSW) 2*43*53 18.Harlod GENGE(NZ) 2 *49?33 XXX XXX xxx EXCERPTS FROK JOHN STANLEY1 s LETTER 14-12-1977 ...In Australia now wo have three main newsletters covering distance events,i.e. VMC, DRN & AA.If most distance runners subscribe to all three as I do then it is wasteful to duplicate articles.But maybe the majority of your readers subscribe to VMC only ? Do you have any figures on this ? Certainly,having written an article it is just as easy to mail it to all throe editors as to make the decision as to where my loyalty should lie....* ...My own belief is that there are two main killers in Marathon races.First,and most frequently underrated (as reflected by the all-too-common use of thin-soled shoes),is the cumulative cffect of road shock on leg muscles.The superbly smooth and springy road sur­ face at Auckland was the major factor enabling the runners to see out the fast pace right to the finish.The second killer frequently encountered in Marathon races is temperature. The overheated body cannot continue to perform efficiently.The cool,damp conditions in Auckland were perfect.Couple both the previous conditions with the top race atmosphere engulfing twenty of the world's best runners,at least one of whom is prepared to have a go from the start,and you have all the prerequisites for sotting records I xxx xxx xxx THE 1978 ALITALIA BACCHUS 12 000. Geoff Sainty,Box 492, GRIFFITH, 2680, N. S. W. We have changed the route to take in two wineries .Halfway through therace,the runners will go into the finishing oval and then take on Scenic Hill.The changes were made at the suggestion of Chris Wardlaw,1976 & 1977 winner. Main prizes are return airfare to Rome with Alitalia and an Economy airfare to N.3. for second.First woman willget an Economy airfare to N.Z. and the second woman an advance purchase airfare to N.Z. also. Raco time is 4Pn on Easter Saturday, 25th of March.Bntries close 4th of March, xxx xxx xxx A V.M.C. member was se 'il at 2 am on the morning after the Hamilton. Marathon entering a motel.He was not alone.Later in the day,this same VMC 'member arrived at Auckland air­ port complaining of a strained groin muscle Sustained during the race. Well,the Marathon IS a gruelling'event,is it not ?l LETTER TO THE EDITOR(alias Fred Lester) AMD OPEN LETTER TO John D.Bailey., Having read your letter in the September magazine I felt that your conclusion i.e.,the Townsville Marathon Club should be recognised*was the only logical situation that could exist.I did not,however,expect to find a reply from no less a personage than the Sec­ retary of the Queensland AAA, especially a reply couched in sUch a dictatorial (wrong - churlish) formi Ifly first reaction was that satire had crept into the VMC Newsletter.On checking page 2, however,I find that Mr Bailey is listed as being QAAA secretary so I will treat it as being genuine and answer eash point in turn. The only reasons,Fred,you aren't known to Mr Bailey must be that new hat or else the boroder guards confiscated the old one as being a health hazard* It is true,Fred,that you may be guilty of bias in your report but I am afraid that Mr. Bailey's letter did nothing to put the association's side of the argument .Perhaps they do not have a valid case and know it. " .... dictated to b$ a minority to the detriment of the majority" - sounds like the thoughts of Chairman J oh ,D o all banana-benders talk like that or is it an occupational hazard of reaching an official position ? What a load of Queensland bulldjtst, it was more likely a request from a bunch of blokes happily doing their own thing,thus letting the QAAA know what they are doing so that like-minded individuals can join in. Since the Townsville Marathon Club does not yet meet with the approval of officialdom how can the threat of "...there will be no such Marathon Club" be carried out.Unless it is voluntarily wound up by the athletes themselves then I fail to see what the QAAA can do,At this point in his letter,I felt that the little logic Mr.Bailey had shown so far had completely disappeared.However,to continue my reply,I do not know what the VAAA attitude would be.Perhaps he should have sent a copy to Rick Pannell and asked for his reply.What the VAAA can do,in any case,is another matter. I am glad to see that Mr.Bailey went to Townsville personally,I didn't know you could go anu other way.Knowing,or at least having seen officialdom and registered athletic clubs in operation,I feel that the competition available to the T.M.C.members would be the same as at Interclub in Metropolitan and Country centres elsewhere? a 5000m run once every two weeks,provided there are officials available and/or "you'll all have to run together and drop out if you are lapped". Yes,Mr.Bailey,an athletic club is for athleticsCsurprise surprise) so why doesn't tho QAAA wind their starched necks in and recognise the T.M.C.You will find that most or nearly all the athletes will want to join existing mixed clubs before too long.You may also remember that it is no bloody good being sedretary of the QAAA if there are no athletes,so why not improve your tarnished position and recognise the rights of the Townsville Marathon Club and the people who want to run long distance runs in that area,away from any obligatory track restriction. May I,in closing,make three points: 1.1 assume that Mr.Bailey's letter was the official viewpoint of the QAAA andnot his personal comments. 2.Why didn't the T.M.C.just get on with it without involving the QAAA. 3.The views expressed in this letter are purely personal and are not intended to re­ present the thoughts of the V.M.C. executive. Yours in sport Lave Craig. P.S.Is there any truth in the rumour,Fred,that you can get arrested for taking part in a pack run "without a top on in the "kernel's" country ? ■ xxx xxx QUEHNSLAHD NOTES • * Paul Circosta The first of Ken Elphick*s K.B.Games wove held on a hot windy Brisbane Sunday after­ noon, before a crowd of 7000.The program had 3 men's distance events over 1000m,1500m and 3000m as well as a woman's 800m. The pace in the 1000m was slow until John Walker made a move down the backstraight of the second lap.John Higham attempted to go with him,but was boxed in.Walker entered the final straight with a big lead,but Higham unleashed a great finishing burst just failing to catch Walker as both recroded 2s25»3» The star-studded 1500m found nobody wanting to take the lead and make a decent pace. Eventually,David Moorecroft took over and produced a strong.final lap to win clearly in 3 s 50.3• The 3000m was billed as the race of the program,containing Eamon Coghlan,Lasse Viren,Jose Hermans,Detleff Uhleman and local "gun" Gerry Barrett just coming back from injury’.Junior Neil Hawthorne made-the pace for the first few laps before Barrett took over up to the bell.The race came to life then for Coghlan to run Hermans down in the run to’the tape for 8 :04.6. ' ■ Queenslander Heather Wright ran a- s ':rong front runner's race to go down narrowly in the women's 800 to Mary Decker,2:05*8 to 2:06.8. V »M. C . NEWSLETTER AUTUMN 1978 MARCH VOL. 9 No. 4 MIDNIGHT RUN TWO BRIDGES 31 12-1977/ 1-1-1978 Warm & still 92 Starters. 4 laps 11 .John BERMINGHAM 23 * 55 24.Ian PEARCE 28 09 47.Ray CALLGHAN 30 10 2.Brian. LEWRY • 24*02 2 5. J ohn MitCD ONNELL 28 13 48.Andrew BANGER 30 25 3.Rob GILFILLAN 24*08 26.John SHEARD 28 20 49 J)avid SIMPSON 30 34 4.Rob WILBON 24 31 27.Ron YOUNG 28 32 50 .Tim DUCK 30 50 5.Arthur KINGSLAND 24 32 28 .Dave HYSEN 28 41 51.Alan CLOSE 31 12 6 .Andrew WELLS 24 53 29.Tim ADAMS 28 42 52.Jim KAEHNE 31 26 7.John DUCK 24 59 30 .John SMITH 28 44 53.Joan CAMERON 31 48(1 W) 8.Gary BENTLEY 25 07 31.John WALKER 28 47 54.Russell B0URKE 32 12 9.Martin O'MALLEY 25 34 32.Bruce WALKER 28 50 55.Fred LESTER 32 43 . 10.Nrom McLENNAN 25 42 33.Rod HEATH 28 52 56.Peter LEGGE 32 54 11 .Bryce DUNKLEY 25 52 34. Tom GRONERT 28 54 57 • J ohn HERBERT 32 5$ 12.Dave GAZLEY 26 04 35. Rob MEISELBACH 28 58 58.Trevor ROBBINS 33 40 13. John STAUNTON 26 16 36 .Peter DEVEREUX 29 06 59.Mai ROMEO 33 41 14.Howard COOPE(U) 26 37 37iKen HALL 29 10 60.John RICE 33 42 15.Ross SHILSTON 26 42 38.Ross HOOLEY 29 13 61.Clare McKERR 34 15 16.David SMITH 26 58 39 .Dennis WATTIE 29 30 62.PE§fY SMITH 35 20 17.Paul DUCK 27 01 40 .Kevin ESMORE 29 36 63.Anne CALLAGHAN 35 20 18.Ian RANDS 27 05 41. Tom KELLY 29 37 64.Colin CRAWFORD 35 41 19.Greg ADAMS 27838 42.Neil TROWSDALE 29 38 65.Pat COOPER 37 12 20.Theo 0HR(1V) 27:39 43.Des MIDDLETON 29 39 66.Harry COOPER 37 12 21.Barry WHEAR 27?46 44.Gerry RILEY 29 50 67.Margaret HIBBERT38 20 22 .Alan ASHMORE 27 : 55 45.Geoff BAIRD 30 00 68.Alan HOOLEY 38 20 23.Andrev/ GARNHAM 28:01 46.Chris BANGER 30 07 1 lapsfVbandra MIDDLETON 6:49 6.Judy SHEARD 10s18 11.Marj COLTHUP' 13*33 2.Colleen SMITH 7:56 7•Jennie WATTIE 10:20 12.Shirley YOUNG 13*33 3.Barbara BYRNES 8:03 8 .Jackie FENTON 10s57 13.Olga ESMORE 13*33 4«Marj ANDERSON 9:20 9.Debbie NORMAN 1 3s05 14.Pat ORR 13*33 5.Karen WALKER 10.Jan COX 13s10 Xxx xxx xxx CANBERRA PRE GAMES MARATHON. John HARDING Several New 3ealandersfone Canadian and runners from every State in Australia made up the 160 strong field.Canberra has an average maximum Temperature of 22ofor the 2nd of December,but it was around 26 till well into the race arid a strong northwesterly added further to the discompfort of the runners.Chris Wardlaw slowed 20sec per mile into the wind at its strongest,but picked up 20 sec running with it on the same stretch. The leaders ,Yfardlaw,0’Shaughnessy,Jim Langford,Sigmont,McInnes,Arthur Botteril, Grenville Woods,Gisbert Zwolen & John Geraghty went through 4 miles in 21:48.Some of the current State rep.s further back in the field were Pcikup & Westburg(Tas),Afford, Hamilton Wayne Chettle(SA) and Kevin Taylor(NSW).Prom the 4 to the 8 mile mark was into the wind.At 8,the turn for the double out-and-back course,Chris Wardlaw took over and ran between 5*25 and 5*20 per mile for the next 7 miles.Sigmont & Wood hung on for 4or 5 miles and paid the price later in the race when Langford moved through to become a clear second after 18 miles.The other main contenders retired before halfway,covered by WardLaw in 75*08. The Games Fun Run was a.measured 6km on undulating dirt tracks through Stromlo Fo­ rest.Tim 0*Shaughnessy was an easy winner in 18:25 from former National unior Champ, over 5kmJohn Andrews and Gosford star Steve Manuel.Queenslander Ron Grant won two two reutrn airfares to Canberra from a barrel draw'after the race.There were 300 runners in this run on the Sunday morning of the Games. xxx xxx xxx DEAR EDITOR. John Herbert Reading with more alarm than awe the list of questions about the East Germans and Walter Ciorpinski in the Summer Issue Ifeel somewhat dubious.For example: "Why have a blood test before and after all your races?" Why indeed ? I would guess that S.A.would,indeed best VIC in every AAU CCC after 1979 if any notice were taken of THIS list i For one thing,no time would be left for training. Furthermore,the irony of the article may be illustrated by recalling the chorus to the theme song of a popular stage play in Adelaide a few years back: Let the grass grow Under your feet ' Till it grows Knec-deep '. May the green grass grow in every corner of Victoria,too ! xxx xxx xxx F0T0S OF THE AAU MARATHON AT CRESSY F0T0S OF THE AAU MARATHON AT CRESSY Gerry Sofianos,22 Lennox St,ILiv7THORN,3l22 had Fotos of the most of the field,taken at the start,as well as about the first 12 to finish.Sizes are 10 by .8,at $ 1.50 each,add 40/ for each package and quote race number when ordering. PUBLICATIONS OBSERVED Dick Batchelor Overseas and'interstate periodicals on athletics provide an insight into the sport in other places. Possibly tho best-known aths magazines would be Britain’s authoritative "Athletics Weekly" and the U»S, monthly "Trafik and Field Neww". Both deal only with top-echelon performances and'their ranking lists are frequently re-publishee in daily newspapers around.the world. Another well-known U.S .monthly, "Runners T/orld" caters for long-distance runners of all types,from the jogger to the world-class marathoner.Recent issues have been devoted to such topics as road tests of running shoes,and running as an aid to mental health I Less well-known are publications such as the Oregon Track Club Newsletter,edited by VMC member Brian Chapman.From a copy which recently arrived on the V1IC editorial desk we learn that Eugene,Oregon,has been called the running capital of the world.Some ten per cent (10°Jo) of the city’s 100,000 population are estimated to eb runners,making full use of the picturesque running trails winding through the forests and parklands sur­ rounding the city.The magazine principally deals with the exciting inter-college track and cross-country meets,the former commonly attracting over 10,000 spectators.Each race report concludes with a taped interview with a coach or athlete. Imagine an Australian sports-gear manufacturer sponsoring an ath1s club i Impossible, yes,but it has happened in America with the formation of Athletics West,a group of athletes subsidised by the Nike Shoe Company and trained in Eugene by a full-time coach hired by Nike.All expenses are being provided for these athletes to fly interstate and to Europe for competition and to training camps.Jobs are being arranged in Eugene which will allow these athletes time off for training and extensive periods of out-of-state competition. Nike is based in Eugene (remember the "Oregon Waffle") and they figure that it isbetter to pump a few tax-deductible dollars into their own ath’s club than to take out a S 25,000 advert in Sports Illustrated.Woe betide any member of Athletics West,however, who turns up for a race in a paij? of Tigers I Will Jim Ryun be reinstated as an amateur ? Another ath’sarticle sent over by Brian C. says that the AAU of USA is studying the status of past members of the professional International Track Association and has invited them to apply for reinstement. Turning to the local scene we have well-known magazines such as Mike Agostini’s "Austrs- lasian Athletics" from NSW (comprehensive with good photos), "Modem Athlete and Coach" (a very technical track and field ariented publication from SA) and "Distance Running News" from Sydney (a volunteer-produced publication not unlike the VMC Newsletter,) The A.C.T. Cross Country Club Bulletin is representative of the host of running publi­ cations put out at the club level in Australia,We saw the January 8 isaue recently and from this wo learned that the pre-Pacific Games Marathon achieved an Australian record of 160 starters.(The VAAA Marathon has had more entries,but not starters I)Chris Wardlaw se::ms to have been well received on his three visits to the ACT;"he was fascinating and inspiring to listen to, fun to run with, devastating to run against and awe-inspiring to watch in action".The Editor,in fact,summed up 1977 "The Year of the Rabbit I" Plenty of photos break up the tables of race results.We await the'editors’ ambitious tome '^Distance Running in Australia" with considerable interest. xxx xxx xxx CONTRIBUTIONS HELD OVER :(Thanks all the same and keep sending more l) Gerry Sofianos on Yfomen Marat hone Runners. Gary Looker* s advice cullec from the Boston Marathon Newsletter. STOP PRESS: David Ohettle wins the 10th Kyoto Marathon in 2:16:00.4 from Kenyi Kaya in 2:16:36.4 and 315 other runners,after taking charge from just after 17km.(Melb.Age 13/2/1978) MEMO ALL V .M.C. MEMBERS. In view of "the shortcomings experienced during the holding of our own Marathon,we are duty bound to remedy the situation and make sure that it really is our top event,both in quality of performances and eficiency of conduct. Please consider most earnestly when and in what capacity you can make yourself avail­ able on days on which you are rostered and/or days when you will not be competing in a VMC race .Write down the details and send them to your Qora'oetition Secretary as early as you possibly can so that officials can be allotted well beforehand and so avoid last minute panics and uncertainties. It is easy to level criticism at others,but no organisation can function effectively unless matters are planned well in advan.ee.For races it is advisable to have 3 months warning,.for social functions a 6 months perios is desirable,for a season’s program we need to plan 8 to 12 months ahead,interstate and international events require propor­ tionately more,often well over 1 or 2 years.* WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF IT ? ODDS ADD ENDS AMD RANDOM THOUGHTS Fred Lester. It would appear that a number of omissions and misprints,as well as hand written copy(instead of typed or at least in clear Blockletters)is responsible for a number of misconceptions and wrong identification in our Newsletters,For instance,I omitted to make it'clear that the entire series of articles in relation to Cierpinski and the East German athletics and sport scene was submitted by Brian Chapman,who deserves high praise for his fine piece of sport journalism,There are still some regular VMC members,even on the Committee,who have illusions about the craftsmanship of their script,hence faulty identification on some of our own result lists,As to the pernicious & outmoded habit of depersonalising people by using initials instead of names,I only wish that some of the culprits actually did the extra work it often involves themselves,Is it that we are so narrow in our outlook that we can* t see others as people ? xxx xxx xxx It is a long time since we have seen sizeable crowds for athletic meetings and the K.B.Games did a lot to revive our optimism,as the series of meetings in various capital cities did last January.Actually,that success was unexpected in view of the mediocre Satellite meets after the Pacific Games.That earlier attempt was badly marred by the refusal of several of the competitors to give local talent an opportunity to test their strength. I do hope that* there will be a thorough analysis by the people concerned’ in management where the Games were successful and where they can be improved,instead of sitting back in smug satisfaction.For one thing,there is still too much unnecessary chatter over the mikejfor another,the program needs to be tighter,after all one must be aware that the vast majority of people are interested in only one or two events on any athletic program and will sit out the others with tolerance for limited time only. Organisers of meetings at athletics are faced with similar problems to other events in sports and entertainment.Action to be exciting and hold the attention of the onlooker has to fit into a 2§- to 3 hours time span,after that disinterest and boredom rapidly accelerate.How many of you can concentrate long anough in a 5000m,let alone a Marathon ? xxx xxx xxx Some progress has been made in having major trials closer to the period when major overseas games are to be held,As you know,the BCG Marathon trial will be on May 13th, the final T&F trials will be at Brisbane on May 20 & 21 *In the first case,the decision gives a good time span;in the second case,there is obvious need for follow-up compe­ tition,' starting about end of June - early July if a peak is to be reached by early August. xxx xxx xxx As a means to conserve VAAA finances and avoid fee increases,the VAAA office has a variety of sports equipment for sale.In addition,all athletes are advised that they can book all (or any) air travel through that pffice,who are then able to obtain con­ cessions easing the burden of team representative expenses.lt workd just the same as through any other booking offcie. xxx xxx xxx Looking around the Victorian athletics scene during the summer months one cannot help but be struck by the inability of local athletes to take advantage of summer daylight saving time.What a terrible waste of golden opportunities for competition at ALL levols(Not .just so-called top athletes).instead of persisting with rigid interclub on afternoons when we. go through a 5 hour routine of boredom,often in gruelling heat. The VMC's now regular "Run-for-your-supper" promotion,in conjunction with a loxjal club, shows what can be done,?/ith a minimum of fuss,and have an enjoyable evening.The runs were over 100,400,1000,3000 & 5000m(0ops,I forgot the 200's),and it was all over in less than two hours,as everyone hopped in to help conduct the events when they were not actually competing themselves at the time. Almost in the same category of thoughtlessness is the general attitude to making athletics work for us overall.ATHLETES GET THE OFFICIALS THEY DESERVE. Keep on standing ba<5k,expect someone else to lay it on for you every time,whinge every time it doesn’t suit you and then don't be surprised if someone who has been willing to help gets fed up and walks out on you.HE OR-SHE DOES NOT 01E YOU ANYTHING I Conversely,it does not make it right for those who have taken on a task of respon­ sibility to flare up and walk otu when criticism is raised for shortcomings,a near - enough job is not good - enough I We are in this together and abit of goodwill all around,as well as recognition of each other,certainly won't be amiss. V.M.C. members ■better take good note of what is required to keep us functioning as a going concern and hop in to do the j ob.Your Committee is there to co-ordinate all our activities,not to wipe your nose every time you sneeze,putting it mildly. Are you going to fill in your membership form and self-address stickers before you forget ? What day can you mkko yourself available to officiate and as what ? Are you going to run, in the Marathon or are you going to be one of the hundred- helpers ?