In winning the A.A.A. Marathon at Coventry for the fourth successive year on Saturday, Brian Kilby, the European and Empire champion, covered the 26 miles 385 yards at an average speed of more than 11½ mph, but his time of 2hr. 16min. 45sec., a championship best, was still slightly over two minutes slower than that which he returned for the Welsh marathon this year.
This, I hasten to add. is not to underrate Kilby's remarkable feat, but rather an expression of the sheer consistency and speed that he is developing as a marathon runner.
His next race will be in October over the Olympic course in the Tokyo "rehearsal,"
There was a magnificent crowd for Saturday's duel between the local heroes, Kilby and his Coventry Godiva club colleague Basil Heatley.
Heatley made a grand effort to stick with Kilby but from being three seconds in front at five miles, and nine at 10, the champion relentlessly increased his pace and the lead to win by over three minutes.
Heatley, in only his third Marathon, returned a very fine 2hr. 19min. 56sec. The Northern champion, Brian Woolford, of Wallasey, came impressively through the field to finish third in 2-23-46.
Don Shelley, of North Staffs and Stone, who was lying third for much of the time, faded after 20 miles and was sixth, with Fred Howe (Blackpool and Fylde) and Eric Austin (Worcester) moving up into fourth and fifth positions.
Ends
Source - Unknown - Monday, 19/08/1963 by Robert Burrows
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