Athletics: Costley sets sights on Rotorua

By MURRAY McKINNON


Phil Costley takes another step towards achieving the status of the ironman of New Zealand athletics when he tackles the Rotorua marathon tomorrow.

Bill Baillie has long been considered the ironman of athletics for his gutsy performances over a range of events during the 1960s.

However, Costley, building up for a last-minute bid to make the Sydney Olympics in the marathon, has taken a try-anything approach.

Over the past 18 months he has won New Zealand titles in the half-marathon, the marathon, 10km road, twice in the track steeplechase event and, three weeks ago, the mountain running title.

Costley, who won at Rotorua three years ago, said that rather than looking at the ironman angle, he was keen to catch sister Jillian.

"My sister has won at Rotorua four times. I've got another three to go."

The 32-year-old has a double incentive to win the Bartercard-sponsored event because, along with $2500, the prize is a trip to compete in the Gold Coast marathon on June 25.

"Rotorua will be a good workout for the Gold Coast race."

Costley will be aiming in Queensland to run the 2h 13m qualifying time for the Olympics.

Competition at Rotorua will come from local runner Peter Handcock, Matt Dravitzki, of Scottish Wellington (seventh in 1997), and Alastair Snowden, of Hawera.

Snowden emerged as a potential top marathon runner after taking the silver medal in the New Zealand 10,000m championship last month.

In the women's section, Meagan Edhouse, of Kawerau, has the background to move up one place better than her second in 1998. She was third in the Las Vegas marathon in February in a personal best of 2h 42m 34s.

"That was off a limited nine-week build-up," Edhouse said.

"The race is still fresh in my memory because it hurt. I couldn't walk for a week. It was over roads with a concrete base - very hard on the legs."

Edhouse, who was second in the recent mountain running championship, said her aim was the world mountain championships in Germany in September.

"After that I will concentrate on the marathon."

Natalie Karl, of Pakuranga, third in the national marathon championship last October, is set for a top run and comes into the event with a personal best of 2h 48m 11s.

Other top placings should come from veterans Bridget Baxter, Marion Millward, Lilac Flay and the evergreen Bernie Portenski.

A total of 2465 runners have entered, 708 fewer than for last year's rained-out event.

Of those competing tomorrow, 746 will be running their first marathon.