Big field for Mount Hutt race

Press, 16 April 1979, Page 22

Big field for Mount Hutt race

By

JOHN DREW

The annual Mount Hutt marathon from Mount Hutt, through Methven to Ashburton has attracted an entry of 133 runners. The marathon has developed into one of the South Island’s most popular marathons and today’s event is notable for a diversified field which includes a record number of first-time marathon competitors. Given suitable weather,

runners can expect personal fast times — there is a fall of about 1100 feet from the start to the finish outside the Ashburton Hotel. At the fast end of the race are the noted Canterbury marathon, track and crosscountry representative Gary Clarke of Olympic and the Edmonton Commonwealth Games steeplechase selection, Martin Couldwell of the University Club. This will be Couldwell’s

first start over the marathon distance. He may use today’s event as an experiment to try out his marathon abilities as well as to test the training benefits of long distance running. In addition there is a strong middle-of-the-field entry which includes Dennis O’Keefe, fresh from his excellent third placing in the recent New Brighton 50, as well as other well placed New Brighton finishers

Wayne Rouse, Peter Watts and Harry Marquet, all of the St Martins Club. Also Trevor Preece, of the Olympic club, a noted former Canterbury representative, is now running well in the veteran category'. ■ The Christchurch Club athlete Bev Tweedie, one of Canterbury’s most improved women marathon athletes, seems likely to take both the women’s open and veteran titles in today’s race.