Murray Halberg at Gisborne

Highlight of the athletic season in Gisborne was the appearance at Childers Road Reserve early in January of such renowned performers as Murray Halberg, Bill Baillie, Peter Wells, Noeline Swinton, Heather Wright and others at a sports meeting organised by the Gisborne Amateur Athletic and Harrier Club. There were entrants from all over the North Island, and quite a few of the local records were broken.

Photographs on this page show the mile champion, Halberg, of Auckland, competing in the invitation mile event.

The champion breasting the tape far ahead of his nearest rival. His time was 4 min 18.6 sec, a new P.B. record.

Halberg leading the field at the end of the first lap.

Halberg (centre) and Baillie (right), his co-runner from Auckland, take a turn with the camera to record Peter Wells on the high jump.

Athletics

Baillie finishing in the invitation mile, well ahead of Mitchell (Wellington).

The start of the big race, with Halberg on the far end of the field.

One of the close finishes in the hurdle races.

T. Martin, a local junior who is showing great promise this season and who is seen lying third to Halberg in the lap photograph on previous page, was first Gisborne member home in the invitation mile.

R. Williams (Gisborne), whose display in the 120 yards hurdles was one of the highlights of the day.

Mrs J. Crotty (Waikato) winning the 75 yards scratch race.

The finish of the 220 yards hurdles, first heat, with R. Williams in third place to two Hamilton competitors, D. Fleming and D. Taylor.

Les Lewis (Auckland), 1950 Empire Games representative in conversation with Len Grey (centre), ex-N.Z. and H.B.-P.B. high jumper, and (right) W. Carmichael, the local club president.

After competing at Gisborne, B. Wilson (Napier) had another name to add to the collection on his sweater.

Lots of strange things are happening in the world of high jumping. In Texas, a 5ft 9in tumbler called Broirning does backward somersaults to clear a bar 7ft from the ground, and was last heard of trying to take off from one foot so that he could claim the world's high jump record. In other parts, jumpers have turned to ballet to aid their efforts.

Just how complicated is the business of clearing a high bar is shown in this series.

Is Noeline Swinton (Auckland),the national title-holder , clearing the bar at 5ft 2in, only half an inch less than her record. Note her style which consists of a rolling movement over the bar, a leg either side, and hands held clear.

This is how Heather Wright, of Wellington, clears 5ft lin.

Is the top high-jumping competitor, Peter Wells, clearing 6ft. 3in. Later Wells took off his sweater and cleared 6ft 7in, equalling his own N.Z. record.

Shows H. Twigley (Gisborne), at the 5ft 11in mark.

Competitors relaxing after their events.

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The Gisborne Photo News

No 8 : February 24, 1955

Murray Halberg at Gisborne