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Dick Tayler

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Dick Tayler
Tayler in 2014
Personal information
Birth nameRichard John Tayler
Born (1948-08-12) 12 August 1948 (age 76)
Timaru, New Zealand
Sport
CountryNew Zealand
SportAthletics
Achievements and titles
National finals1500 m champion (1970)
10,000 m champion (1974)
Cross country champion (1973)
15 km road champion (1971)[1]
Medal record
Men's athletics
Representing  New Zealand
Commonwealth Games
Gold medal – first place 1974 Christchurch 10,000 m

Richard John Tayler MNZM (born 12 August 1948) is a former New Zealand runner who mostly competed in distances from 1500 m to 10,000 m.

Tayler was born in Timaru,[2] and attended Timaru Boys' High, the same school as Jack Lovelock.[3] He is best known for winning the 10,000 metres at the 1974 Commonwealth Games in Christchurch, New Zealand, in a time of 27:46.4, breaking the New Zealand record.

Tayler competed at the 1970 and 1974 Commonwealth Games, as well as the 1972 Summer Olympics.

He finished 12th at the 1st IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Waregem, Belgium, 1973.

Arthritis cut short Tayler's running career.

In the 2014 New Year Honours, Tayler was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to athletics.[4]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Hollings, Stephen (December 2016). "National champions 1887–2016" (PDF). Athletics New Zealand. Retrieved 12 January 2018.
  2. ^ New Zealand Olympic Committee. "Dick Tayler". Retrieved 29 January 2024.
  3. ^ "Dick Tayler says South Canterbury honour ranks with NZ Sportsman of Year award". 21 May 2021. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
  4. ^ "New Year honours list 2014". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 31 December 2013. Retrieved 12 January 2018.
[edit]
Awards
Preceded by Lonsdale Cup of the New Zealand Olympic Committee
1974
Succeeded by