Choice Depends On Three Miles

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30962, 19 January 1966, Page 19

Choice Depends On Three Miles

<Xcu> Zealand Press Association! AUCKLAND. How J. L. Davies runs in the threemile race at Western Springs on January 31 will decide whether he will concentrate on the mile or three miles for the Empire Games in August.

Davies said in Tokoroa yesterday that he had been greatly encouraged by his 5000 metres win at Christchurch but would like one more long race before making a decision.

In the three miles at Western Springs he will face W. D. Baillie, N. 1. Scott, and the most highly regarded male athlete in the Russian team. V. Kudinskiy. Scott, originally planning an attempt on M. G. Hal berg’s 5000 metres record of 13min 35.25ec, has had a little sparkle taken off his enthusiasm for the run since he learned the race will be over three miles at which he holds the national record.

“I feel I'm starting to lack basic speed as far as miling goes,” he said, “but at the moment I am split between the two distances. “The Auckland run should decide me one way or the other what to aim for at Jamaica, but naturally first 1 must gain selection.”

Nevertheless he is very confident of a good time and could be capable of lowering his 13min 10.8 sec record in the feature race of the evening.

Davies feels he is approaching the best form he displayed in Europe last year.