Athletics: 30 years since magic 10,000m win

Dick Tayler had a few beers at a local pub, then won gold in the 10,000 metres at the Christchurch Commonwealth Games.

Thirty years ago tomorrow, Tayler set the Games alight as he crossed the finish line 15 metres clear in near-world record time.


Recalling the race yesterday, Tayler praised his coach, Arthur Lydiard.

The evening before the event, they went to the Bush Inn, drank a few beers and Lydiard laid out his plan for the race.

Tayler said Lydiard predicted the English and Kenyan runners would start too fast and then tire.

He warned Tayler to stay behind them and avoid the pushing and shoving.

Then Lydiard said they would speak no more about the race. He wanted the highly-strung youngster to relax.

Next morning, Tayler had a light jog round the university grounds at Ilam.

When he arrived at Queen Elizabeth ll Park, his family were astonished at how relaxed he seemed.

While other runners warmed up on the training track, Tayler and Lydiard jogged round a nearby golf course.

Lydiard wanted to keep Tayler away from the highly-charged Games atmosphere. That was why he had ordered him to miss the opening ceremony the day before.

Back in the dressing room, Lydiard made Tayler sit long after contestants had been called for the event.

Only at the last minute did he emerge for the start.

Tayler was amazed at the accuracy of Lydiard's predictions.

The English and Kenyan runners duelled at the front, while he based his pace on lap times, according to the plan.

Sure enough, the leaders tired and he swept past them.

The roar of the crowd is Tayler's strongest memory.

"It was a hell of a noise. I couldn't even hear the lap bell."

Tayler started sprinting with 300 metres to go.

It was a waste of time listening for footsteps to see how far behind the next runner was, "so at the top of the bend I took a look back."

He could hear the deafening chant of "Black, black, black," but did not know who the crowd were barracking for.

"I was wearing black, but Englishman Dave Black and a Kenyan were behind me."

The home straight looked long as Tayler entered it, yet he knew he could win.

Lydiard was waiting for him under the grandstand. Even if he had come last, Lydiard would have been there for him, Tayler said.

"That's the sort of man he is."

He thanked Lydiard. "I suppose we would have hugged today, but in the 1970s you didn't do that."

Tayler felt privileged to be guided by the man who had mentored Murray Halberg and Peter Snell.

He He felt good at the finish and wonders if he could have broken the world record if he had been pushed harder.

Lydiard told him he could have.

Both set new targets for the 1976 Montreal Olympics but, by then, Tayler was stricken with arthritis and could not run.

The arthritis is in remission, but Tayler's admiration for Lydiard still burns strongly.

- NZPA