Mackenzie Breaks 440 Yards Record

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30978, 7 February 1966, Page 18

Mackenzie Breaks 440 Yards Record

Further evidence of the form which promises to win him selection for the Jamaica Empire Games was given by the New Zealand quarter-mile champion, D. W. Mackenzie (Canterbury), in die annual track and field contest between Canterbury and Wellington for the Dorrie Leslie Cup on Saturday.

The Canterbury captain won the 440 yards in a provincial record of 48.1 sec and later had a brilliant 220 yards win in 21.6 sec.

This was also inside the Canterbury record, held by Mackenzie at 21.7 sec. Unfortunately, it could not be recognised because of wind assistance.

In the quarter-mile, Mackenzie completely outclassed the field. He was already in front when he went down the back straight, in spite of the staggered start, and at the finish was 15 yards clear of the second runner, D. Minards, also of Canterbury. M. Marston (Wellington) was third. Changed Course Because of the strong wind, officials agreed to run the 220 yards event round the east bend of the quarter-mile track with the finish at the end of the back straight. The New Zealand champion, A. G. Steel, started magnificently on the inside lane and was well out in front at the end of 100 yards. Then Mackenzie turned on a terrific burst, drawing up level as they came off the bend. Down the straight they went, stride for stride. Twenty yards from the tape Mackenzie threw in another challenge and this time managed to inch ahead. At the finish he was less than a yard clear. Steel’s time in coming second was 21.8 sec, also a good performance and a clear indication that he is now beginning to sharpen up. However, this was not Steel’s day. He was unexpectedly edged out of first place in the 100 yards race by Minards and only just held off a late challenge by another Canterbury athlete, M. Poulsen. Minards’ time was rather slow at 10.5 sec but no better than could be expected into the strong wind. Steel and Poulsen were both timed at 10.6 sec. Retained Trophy Canterbury was untroubled to retain the Dorrie Leslie Cup. Wellington, beaten by only one point last season, could only score 98 this year compared with Canterbury’s total of 145.

The home team was superior in the three sections contested, and its scores, with Wellington’s in parentheses, were: senior 46 (44), women 44 (20), junior 55 (34).

The New Zealand 220 yards hurdles champion, M. Walls (Canterbury), showed the benefit of his recent competition in Australia. He won the 120 yards hurdles by 10 yards from Wellington’s B. Collins in the good time of IS.Osec. Later in the meeting he completed a fine double by winning the 220 yard hurdles in 25.35ec. In the hammer throw, Canterbury’s G Grant lost nothing in comparison to the New Zealand champion, D. Leech, and his Wellington team-mate, M. Carr. Carr unexpectedly won the event wtih a best throw of 152 ft 7in. Leech was second with 151 ft Mn and Grant close behind with 150 ft 7in.. Slow Mile Time B. R. Jones (Canterbury) won the senior mile with ease, but his time of 4min 9.Bsec was well below that of his record breaking run last Saturday. His only competition came from another Canterbury athlete, J. D. Macdonald, who ran at his shoulder throughout, only being left in the final sprint. Jones went through the opening lap in 59.45ec at the head of the field and a further reduction to his Canterbury record appeared likely. The second lap came up in 2min I.4sec but then the heat and the strong easterly wind began to take its toll. The third lap

came up in 3min ssec and bis opportunity was lost. One of the day’s most impressive performances came from the 17-year-old Canterbury long jumper. Miss V. Gilmour.

She provided a major sensation by completely outclassing the reigning national champion. Miss J. Wilkins (Wellington), winning comfortably with a magnificent, wind-assisted leap of 19ft lOin. This could be compared quite favourably with Yvette Williams’s New Zealand record of 20ft 7}in.

This performance immediately placed Miss Gilmour in Empire Games class. If she can reproduce this form at the national championships in March she could welt edge out Miss Wilkins for a place in the New Zealand games team for Jamaica.

Successful Come-Back Making her first appearance since her retirement 10 months ago. New Zealand's Olympic shot and discus representative. Mrs V. I. Young, demonstrated that she had lost little of her ability. She narrowly won the shot put event from D. Charteris (Canterbury) with a best throw of 50ft Ofin. Fifteen-year-old Miss S. A. Flynn assured Canterbury of all three places in this event when she put the shot out to 41ft llfin. Mrs Young was untroubled to win the discus, her best throw being 154 ft Sin. Miss Chqrteris was second with 144 ft 2in.

Junior events were not without their outstanding performances. G. McKechnie lowered the Canterbury 440 yards record with an impressive time of 49. Ssec.