B. J. EVERITT IN FINE FORM

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30980, 9 February 1966, Page 11

B. J. EVERITT IN FINE FORM

TN the cauldron of inter- “*■ national competition good performances by New Zealand athletes often do not get the recognition they deserve. Such was the case of the prominent Wellington distance runner. B. J. Everitt, who turned on a tremendous performance in the Russian international at Auckland last week to win the six miles by more than 150 yards from the Olympian. J. L. Julian (Auckland). There was nothing sensational in the time—3omin 9.6 sec—but this was only because of the soggy surface of the Western Springs Stadium track and the wet weather. This would have been the equivalent of 28min or less in good conditions. He ran with Julian and another nationally ranked athlete, M. Ryan (Waikato) for most of the race, unleashing a stunning sprint with only one and a half laps to go. This took both Julian and Ryan completely by surprise, although it is unlikely if they could have done anything even had they been fully prepared. Neither could respond to

the challenge. The hard going on the soggy track had completely sapped their strength. Everitt literally ran away from them, increasing his lead with every stride to go through the tape more than the length of the straight ahead. Julian managed to edge Ryan out for second place. The retirement of the Russian 5000 and 10,000 metres champion, 28-year-old Leonid Ivanov, after 15 laps only served to emphasise what a sterling performance Everitt put up. Ivanov gave no reason for pulling out of the race hut it is reasonable to assume that he found the conditions too tough and was not prepared to risk a muscle injury on the slippery track. Now 28, Everitt could become one of the select band of athletes who have represented New Zealand at both athletics and cross-country in top-class international competition. Last harrier season he was chosen for the national team which contested the world crosscountry championship in Belgium: this track season he must have a chance,

however remote, of winning selection for the Jamaica Empire Games.