Bill Baillie

Bill Baillie was the likeable and popular Ironman of New Zealand running. Baillie went to the British Empire and Commonwealth Games in 1954, 1958, 1962 and 1966, and was sixth in the Olympic Games 5000m in 1964 in Tokyo, but his claim to fame world-wide was setting world records over 20,000m and one hour at the Lovelock Track in Auckland on 24 August 1963. He recorded 59m 28.6s for 20,000m and covered 20,190m in the hour to break Czech Emil Zatopek’s, who won three gold medals at the 1952 Helsinki Olympics, records.

He won 15 New Zealand titles; 880 yards (2 ’54,’55), mile (2 ’58, ‘61), 3 miles (1 ‘56), 6 miles (7 ’59, ’60, ’63-‘67), cross country (2 ’60, ‘63), road (1 ‘65). His cross country win in 1963 at Cornwall Park Auckland was one of his most notable victories. The New Zealand championship was two weeks before his world record run and he headed in a top field of Barry Magee, Jeff Julian, Neville Scott, Ray Puckett and John Davies. He was the fourth New Zealander ...