Brian Taylor Memorial Women's 3000m

Brian Taylor Memorial Women's 3000m - International Track Meet

Thursday 22 December, 2011 For immediate release

Nikki Hamblin, dual Commonwealth Games silver medallist, headlines the field for an exciting new addition to the International Track Meet, New Zealand's premier athletics meeting, to be held in Christchurch on February 4th. Hamblin, New Zealand's premier athlete at 800 and 1500m, will contest the Brian Taylor Memorial 3000m, named in honour of Canterbury coach Brian Taylor, who lost his life in the February earthquake.

The ITM announced today that Hamblin will race a strong field including Canterbury's Fiona Crombie. Both had strong links to Taylor, and have committed to the race to honour his legacy at the meet's historic revival on the grass of the Christ's College track.

Taylor was well renowned as a middle-long distance coach, particularly of female athletes, which is why it is appropriate that the event to carry his name should be the women’s 3000m. Taylor was a strong proponent of the methods pioneered by legendary Kiwi coach Arthur Lydiard, who coached Peter Snell and Murray Halberg to Olympic glory. The International Track Meet will also be a celebration of the 50th anniversary of Snell’s world 800m/880yds records, set on grass at Lancaster Park in February 1962.

Hamblin, silver medallist over 800m and 1500m at the Delhi Commonwealth Games and the current New Zealand 3000m champion, won the 800m at the International Track Meet at QEII Stadium in 2009 and was to attempt the New Zealand mile record at the 2011 meet, which was cancelled in the wake of the February earthquake. She said of her intention to compete in the 2012 meet, “I’m looking forward to kicking off my 2012 campaign in Christchurch. Brian Taylor was a truly passionate distance running coach who helped me in 2006. I can’t think of a better way to honour his memory than by competing in his race.”

Crombie has been an ever-present competitor at the ITM, and is current New Zealand champion over 3000m steeplechase. In 2011 she represented New Zealand at the World Cross Country Championships and the Chiba International Road Relay, and is targeting selection to the London Olympics in the steeplechase. She also competes for Taylor’s old club, University of Canterbury.

One of the stated purposes of holding the International Track Meet at Christ’s College, adjacent to the heart of Christchurch’s devastated central city, is to demonstrate that the city is still capable of hosting international sporting events. The charity luncheon at the Christchurch Casino on the preceding Friday will celebrate the 50th anniversary since Snell’s contribution to Canterbury sporting folklore. At the same time, the February 4 timing puts the event close to the first anniversary of the tragic February 22 earthquake, The Brian Taylor Memorial 3000m will be the sport's tribute to those in the city whose lives have been affected, focused on the memory of Taylor, who was Director of King's Education, and died when the CTV Building collapsed.

Taylor's lifetime contribution to Canterbury and New Zealand athletics included many years from 1968 on as a Canterbury track and cross-country representative, dedicated work as one of the region's best coaches, and service on Athletics Canterbury and as Chair of the Christchurch Marathon Trust.

For further information on the meet and charity luncheon, go to the event website www.internationaltrackmeet.co.nz.

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