20-Miler to Rod Dixon

Just to prove his versatility, Rod Dixon, after successful seasons on the track and over cross-country, scampered away with the Nelson open 20-mile road race. His time of 1hr 49min 42sec was his best but 2min 20sec short of Bill Coppins's record set last year. Rod's brother, John, was 42seconds behind for second and Martin Thompson was third in 1hr 50min 20sec. Pre-race favourite, Brian Jacobsen, retired after 16 miles. Coppins, the titleholder, did not start because of an injury.

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The field gets away at the start. Twenty miles to go and the competitors are grinning. How long did the grins last?

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Rod Dixon ... on the way to victory

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John Dixon ... was catching up at the end but finished second

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There's only one foot keeping this group off the ground and that belongs to Roger Sowman (second from left). This shot of Brian Jacobsen, Sowman, Martin Thompson and Murray Taylor was taken as they bounded out of Quarantine Road into Bolt Road