Friday, 05 March 2010
WILLIAM Doney describes winning the John Davies Cup was “the highlight of my running career”.
The 25-year-old Whakatane runner blazed down the home straight of the 1500 metre race at the Waikato-Bay of Plenty track and field champs in Hamilton at the weekend. He became the first Bay of Plenty athlete to win the coveted trophy
Doney had two Hamilton runners in front of him as he entered the final lap. But he had full confidence in his finishing ability.
He waited for his moment and with 250m to go he made his move and passed the front-runners, surging ahead to win by five seconds.
“As I neared the finish I knew I had it so I just eased off and enjoyed the moment. I had my hands in the air and I was waving them around. It was a great feeling,” he said.
It was Doney’s best 1500m time in four years and within five seconds of his personal best.
John Davies won a bronze medal in the 1500m at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics - the same race in which Olympic legend Peter Snell won gold. Davies also won a silver medal at the 1962 Commonwealth Games in Perth.
Doney said the trophy was very important to him as Davies was an athlete who commanded a lot of respect. When he died in 2004 the trophy became a symbol of one of New Zealand’s best athletes.
“When John’s wife spoke about the trophy a few years ago it really sunk in how important this trophy was. It is also good to take it away from the Waikato - there is a healthy rivalry there.
“I like to get into the inspirational stuff. I like to watch YouTube videos of Kiwis winning medals,” Doney said.
Doney’s claim that the win is the highlight of his career is a big statement as he has run with some of the best in New Zealand at national level.
He said there is one other highlight of his career which is a bit more local.
“When I was 14 years old I won a mile race which had my father, Andrew Ross and Chris Morrissey in it. That is one of my favourite memories,” he said.
Doney’s father Willy has been coaching William and he said it has been a great partnership.
“He is the best coach you could hope for. He pushes me hard, which is what I need,” he said.
Doney will take a 10-week break from running from the end of April while he goes to Asia for his OE, but he still has a major goal in his sights.
“I will have a two-year build up and then I want to have a go at the 2014 Commonwealth Games. I want to wear the black singlet,” he said.
Doney also picked up a first place in the 400m and 800m and was second in the javelin.
Fellow Whakatane athlete Aidan Campbell broke the two minute barrier in the 800m and placed third.
Campbell recorded a time of 1.58 minutes and joined the few Eastern Bay runners who have achieved this mark.
Julie Balakich had a good competition and recorded wins in the masters women’s 400m and long jump. She had a false start in the 200m and was disqualified. Bakalich recorded the largest medal tally for the club with eight medals.
Rene Otto had a busy competition notching up seven medals, competing in the masters grade and senior mens grade. His best performance came from the hammer throw.
The oldest team member, Allan Sylvster, recorded good results including a win in the 100m with a time of 15 seconds.