Renner in fast 3000-metre steeplechase

Press, 27 January 1986, Page 22

Renner in fast 3000-metre steeplechase

By

ROD DEW

A splendid Commonwealth Games qualifying run in the 3000 m steeplechase by Peter Renner (Bascik New Zealand) substantially brightened a wet afternoon on the first day of the Canterbury track and field championships at Queen Elizabeth II Park on Saturday.

Running in his first steeplechase for five months, Renner led ail the way, outpacing the rest of the strong field and finishing well clear in Bmln 29.59 s — more than two seconds inside the Edinburgh Games qualifying standard.

Second place went to the Brisbane Commonwealth Games 1500 m finalist, Michael Gilchrist (Technical), who lopped 10s off his personal best time (set just a week earlier) with an impressive run of Bmln 38.455. Neil Lowsley (New Brighton), also a New Zealand representative at the Brisbane Games four years ago, was the third finisher in Bmin 58.755. "I am really happy,” Renner said afterwards. “I did too many races in Europe last year and I have been struggling to get myself motivated. I have done no speed work, and only did a crash course in hurdling last week,” he said.

In the last three weeks has Renner lifted his weekly mileage to 140 km a week, but he is looking for a lot of progress in the weeks ahead. He will either contest the Canterbury 10,000 m championship on Wednesday or attempt a Commonwealth Games qualifying time over 5000 m on Thursday. Then, next Saturday he will defend his New Zealand 10,000 m championship at Wellington. His steeplechase time on Saturday is certain to impress the New Zealand cross-coun-try selectors, who will announce their team on February 2 for the world championships in Switzerland. A fast run over 10,000 m or 5000 m in the next week should put his selectiioin for this beyond doubt. The rain during the championship on Saturday did not worry Renner, although some

others claimed that the track did not have its usual bounce and complained about their shoes filling with water.

If Renner is chosen for the cross-country team, it is likely that he will be unable to race another steeplechase before the end of the qualifying period for the Edinburgh Games. But he is confident the selectors will accept his single fast time. “They know what I can do. It was just a case of showing them that I am still up to international standard,” he said.

He might, however, force another steeples run in his tight programme if Gilchrist needs some strong opposition to achieve a Games qualifying time. “If Mike is still keen to run a qualifying time later in February, then I will try and help him. It would be good to see him get a trip as a steeplechaser,” Renner said.

Although well beaten by Renner’s world-class run, Gilchrist’s effort was little short of amazing. This was his second race over the full 3000 m steeplechase and his time was only 6.45 s outside the qualifying standard. “He took 10s off his previous time, and if he can do the same in his next race he will be in the Games team,” Gilchrist’s coach, Mr Valdemars Briedis, said afterwards. Erik Monasterio (University) won the junior 2000 m steeplechase championship in 6min 2.87 s after a keen tussle with Andrew Condick (Technical).

Mary O’Connor (University), who has already qualified for the Games in the marathon and ran within a fraction of a second of the qualifying time in the 10,000 m, demonstrated her great distance versatility with a fine wet weather win in the women’s 3000 m championship. She proved too strong in the closing stages for her rivals, splashing across the finish in the good time of 9min 27.375.

Anne Marie Tweedie (University) filled second place in 9min 52.05 s and the outstanding veteran, Margaret Walker (Technical) was third in 10min28.12s.

The Los Angeles Olympic 400 m sprinter, Kim Robertson (Auckland), made a brief visit to Christchurch on Saturday for a run “on my favourite track.” She easily won the 400 m in 55.48 s from the only other competitor, Briar Woods (University). "It doesn’t worry me that there was only one other person in the race. It was a run. I needed a 400 m race, and this was the only place I could get one.” She was a little disappointed with the weather, but pointed out that it was even worse in Auckland. She had been hoping for a time less than 535.

Robertson will be back in Christchurch for the New Zealand championships in March.

Another New Zealand Olympian, Peter Pearless (Nelson), showed some of his considerable ability with a fine win in a specially arranged 800 m race at the end of the programme. Vem Roberts (Toe H) set the early pace before dropping out 300 m from the finish. Pearless took over and strode effortlessly to the finish in Imin 49.235, 2.49 s outside the Games qualifying time he needs for a trip to Edinburgh.

Graham Seatter (Old Boys) provided further evidence of his successful comeback when he won the 10km walk in a fast 42min 34.95. Murray Day (Old Boys) was second in 44min 11.95.

Bev Peterson (Technical) maintained her winning form in the 100 m, finishing comfortably clear of Nicky Doyle (Technical) and Lynette Stock (Technical) in 11.65. Stock, the New Zealand 100 m hurdles champion, contested the opening event of the Canterbury heptathlon championship, the hurdles, for a winning time of 14.045. She is chasing a Games qualifying time of 13.745.

Sharon Hughes (New Brighton), who has made outstanding progress in recent weeks, easily won the women’s senior 1500 m. Her time was 4min 44.75. Nicola Page (Toe H) was second and Michelle Jewell (New Brighton) third.