Vol. 1 No. 4 SEPTEMBER 1986 PRICE $2 Gariy Hand and Alison Coleman Top Vets, in Queensland’s Gold the Interstate veterans was Marathon), and you evergreen George realise the organisational McGrath from the N.S.W. magnitude of this great Coast Marathon Veterans Athletic Club, event. running his 80th Mara­ This year saw 900 thon. nominations for the Mar­ There are numerous athon and 1200 for the BY JOHN BURNS reasons why the Gold Half Marathon — a Coast Marathon has be­ tremendous response. come so popular in recent It was a splendid occas­ LEADING JAPANESE ATHLETES years, but the prime reason ion for both events, a gala would have to be the dedi­ atmosphere and a culmin­ cated and competent effort ation of many months of GIVE RACE INTERNATIONAL FLAVOUR put in by Race Director, planning. Congratulations Dusty Lewis, his wife to Dusty Lewis and his Sheila and the Race Com­ team. Garry Hand (M40) 2.25.24, and Alison Coleman mittee. Their application The start and finish on (W35) 3.05.37, were first male and female veterans in the to the task, is one of total Old Burleigh Road, commitment and they Broadbeach, provides 1986 Queensland Marathon. have that rare gift of ample space in adjacent enthusing all those about beachside parkland for them — sponsors, offic­ recovery areas, family The Queensland Gold regarded that the Queens­ more, it attracts top wheel­ ials, authorities, organi­ Coast is noted for many chair athletes and many gatherings, presentations, land Athletic Association sations, and of course relaxation and refresh­ things; amongst these is and the Queensland interstate and overseas participants. Consider also surely the International competitors. Notable this ments etc. — a first class Veterans’ Athletic Club that they conduct a Half venue indeed. The race Marathon. It was held this arrange to incorporate year was a contingent of Marathon, run virtually at year on 20th September. progresses north from their respective marathon Japanese, which included the same time (only 10 Broadbeach to Main This Marathon is so well several veterans. Amongst championships. Further- minutes later than the Beach Caravan Park where you t\pn and come .south, over the same route thrdugh Broadbeach to Miami; you then return north to the Broadbeach start/finish area, the half way mark, and repeat the Bowers pips journey again. You therefore, actually traverse the same 6 ‘/2 miles of coast road four times. An excellent Evergreen, George McGrath, 66, continues to defy arrangement for organis­ the ageing process, by his 2hrs. 56mins. 36secs. in Blonner for NSW ers and spectators alike. the Gold Coast Marathon. To all those Veterans, who have not yet savoured the Gold Coast Marathon, when you .turned, for the and who would like a fast, detail by the administrat­ final leg to the finish. flat, traffic free course, ion, was the innovation 8k C.C. Title held under clear blue There were some great this year of requesting all veteran performances, as skies, adjoining the entrants to specify on the we have come to expect golden beaches of Aus­ entry form their running these days and possibly BY LOGAN IRWIN tralia’s premier tourist history, nutrition, major none better than George resort, a really enjoyable problems overcome etc. McGrath. 2.56.36, at 66 event, complemented by This data was recorded The redoubtable John Bowers, scored years of age, less than a superb organisation and and filed by the medical an all the way win in the NSW 8km. Cross year after his dramatic live T.V. coverage, I attendants, as a quick Country Championships, held at Centennial strongly suggest you head collapse with a serious reference should any arrhythmia attack, in the Park, Sydney, on Sunday, 25th May, 1986. for the Sunshine State in competitor require treat­ Paramatta ‘5’, N.S.W. July 1987 and combine ment In near perfect condi­ this experience of a life­ One final comment on and of course the inevit­ the complete attention to tions, he took the early able performance of that time with a relaxing holi­ (Results on Page 13) lead and soon opened up a “genial giant” , George day. break of 25 secs, on Adolf McGrath, M65, 16th Race day this year Blonner, maintaining a overall in the amazing dawned bright and clear, blistering pace throughout time of 32.15. and with bands playing, the race, that even the TV crews, “choppers” Records fall in irrepressible Blonner In the female division, and support vehicles all could not match. Tess Bell took the honours poised for action, the A.C.T. Cross with a 31.40 W35 and whole atmosphere was one The winning margin 14th overall, followed by of excitement and keen remained the same Christine Batman W30, in anticipation of a great Country Champs. between these two top 32.51; a great run in her race. The starters gun veterans, with Bowers first appearance with the sounded right on time at 7 taking the M45 honours in club. Beth Stanford took a.m. and, with the large (BY MIKE ADLER) 29.20 and Blonner the out the gold in the W40 Half Marathon contingent M50 division in 29.44. category with a smart time starting separately this The ACT Veterans 10 km Cross-Country of 37.35 and both Olive year, the Marathon field Championships were held on a tough course of A great run by John Webb, W55 and Irmgard was much smaller, hence forest trails at Stromlo Forest on Sunday, 20th McNulty, 1st M40 and Gross, W45 won their we were all able to cross July, and attracted a good field of 95. third overall, in 30.05, respective age group. the start line a little sooner Despite the absence at the than normal! (Makes for mark by 1 minute 08. Anne followed by Des Barrett Oldest competitor, Bill Gold Coast Marathon of top M50, 30.27, (who was better ‘official’ race Young in the W50 section set Pease, M70, gearing up performers Garry Hand, Ron a respectable mark of 52.54. also awarded "competitor times!). Vines, Paul Rudkin, and John for the Budget Marathon, The only minor diffi­ A relative newcomer Anne is of the race” ) ensured quite was more than pleased and Maryanne Busteed, the achieving a name for herself a battle for the minor culty experienced by most crisp, perfect running con­ with his time of 40.28. was the south-east breeze with a mounting tally of W50 placings over the conclud­ ditions saw five course re­ Fun Run section wins. that stiffened somewhat, ing stages. Congratulations to Race cords broken and two records Race Director Jim O’Shea Organiser Bill Seary and later in the morning. For established, while Dave earns plaudits for a smoothly There were many out­ his many excellent offic­ those of us in the ‘3 hours Mclnnes, taking out the M40 conducted race. standing performances, ials, whose work made plus’ category this made medal, was only one second Accurately positioned AJdolf Blonner, M50 Division winner at the recent notably the M55 winner these championships such the final southern leg from outside Ron Vines record. kilometer markers and great NSW 8km. Cross Country Titles in 29.44. Bob Piper, 31.30, Frank a great success. Main Beach to Miami Frank Green lopped 1 min attention to detail ensured this rather hard going, how­ 05 off Terry Munro’s M45 — Photo by Peter Griffin Devlins’ gold in the M60 (Results on Page 13) annual event was a complete ever, it was great to have mark and Jo Cullen in the W35 success. the wind on your back division bettered her own (Results on Page 13) CONTENTS m i w m a t L Page 2............................................................................Editorial Dedicated to all existing and potential Veteran Athletes in Australia. With another successful winter programme almost over, and It is absolutely essential to the success of these championships 3 ......................................................... 1987 World Games what promises to be, possibly, the most exciting veterans’ track that our many ‘own ’ world class athletes get maximum exposure in and field season we’ve yet to see, many athletes will be embark­ every way possible, in the important lead up to the games next year. For example, why not a 10000 metres “ Feature Race” at Olympic 4 ...................................................Under the Watchful Ey ing on a years’ solid preparation for the forthcoming World Paik, comprising of top stars like Gariy Hand, Neil Ryan, Trevor Games next November. Vincent, Carl Stephenson, Graham Kipp etc., or a well publicised 1987 will undoubtedly put Veteran Athletics on the map, as we assault on the world record for 1500 metres, with the great Tom 5 ................................... Profile (Daphne and Mick Pirie) are destined for an unprecedented growth in our ranks, and an era Roberts making the pace for Dick Telford, Alan Bradford, Garry that will long be remembered in the history of the association. Hand, Bob Lange, and others. 6....... World Games Provisional Track and Field Meet Many of our members have participated in World Veterans Further exciting possibilities conjure up all sorts of wonderful Championships over the years; myself, just once, last year in Rome. Track and Field publicity for the Games. Just imagine the media To even begin to comprehend the sheer magnitude of the organi­ interest in a head to head confrontation between, once again, “ our ^ 7 .....................................................................Overseas News sation required, where you have as many as 4500 athletes of all own” great World Champions, John Gilmour, Jack Ryan, Geoige nationalities, you need to personally experience the problems that McGrath and Alan Burgoyne. Even sprint classics, involving can occur. However, I am confident the World Games organising Wendy Ey, Judy Pollock, Eileen Hindle, Debbie Lange and Raelene 18................................................................