Last chance to impress

Press, 31 January 1986, Page 30

Last chance to impress

Contenders for the New Zealand cross-country team will have their last chance to impress the selectors in the New Zealand 10,000 m track championship at Wellington tomorrow.

The team, for the world championships in Switzerland on March 23, will be announced this week-end.

High on the list of favourites for the title and the team must be Rex Wilson (Hawkes Bay), who heads the 10,000 m rankings with his best recent time of 28min 225. Close behind him is John Bowden (Auckland), who has recorded 28min 295. Both men have qualified for the Edinburgh Com-’ monwealth - Games in this distance, and are clearly in fine form. However, . the chances of the defending champion, ‘ Peter Renner (Christchurch), cannot b.e‘ discounted. His outstanding win in Commonwealth' Games qualifying time in

the Canterbury 3000 m steeplechase last Saturday suggests that he is approaching top form. This will be his first run over the distance on the track this summer.

Two top men who will not contest the championship are Dave Burridge (Canterbury) and Geoff Shaw (Auckland). Shaw, top-ranked over 5000 m this season and third on the 10,000 m list, seems certain of selection anyway; but Burridge could have strengthed his claims substantially with a solid run in the championship.

Provided there are nd big upsets in .the New Zealand ;■ 10,000 m ■ championship, .Wilson, Bowden, Ken Maloney (Auckland), and Shaw- are almost at the stage where, they can. pack their, bags for Switzerland. Renner, Burridge’ and , John • Campbell (Southland), have strong claims-as well. .