Runners set to take on the Lovelock Mile
Will 2019 be the year someone beats South Canterbury Olympic gold medallist Jack Lovelock’s personal best for a mile?
Lovelock, a Timaru Boys’ High School student from 1924-1928, set his personal best when he broke the world mile record with a time of 4 minutes 7.6 seconds in Princeton, United States, in 1933. On Saturday, a field of up to 16 athletes will again attempt to better the mark at Timaru’s annual Lovelock Classic athletics meet.
Lovelock is one of New Zealand’s greatest athletes, winning gold in the 1500 metres at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, setting a world record of 3:47.8 in the process.
About 110 athletes from throughout the South Island are expected to take part in the Lovelock Classic.
Lovelock Classic committee member Helen Mackle said the meet included track and field events such as long jump and high jump, 400m hurdles, and the 3000m open class, as well as the feature event, the Lovelock Mile.
‘‘It will be the same as 2018 except the men’s long jump has changed to the triple jump, but other than that it’s the same every year.’’
The meet was a good build up for younger athletes; many of whom will take part in the Colgate Games in Dunedin on January 12.
The Lovelock Classic starts at Aorangi Park at 1pm, but another meet for children starts at 10am.
‘‘It’s always a very popular children’s event,’’ Mackle said.
‘‘Basically the afternoon is a premier event for Athletics New Zealand.’’
‘‘Every year there’s a really good field,’’ Committee member Linley Welford said said.