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by Walt Murphy’s News and Results Service (WaltMurphy44@gmail.com), used with permission
This Day in Track & Field/X-Country–March 22
1959—Australia, with a lineup of Denis Wilson (4:06.5), Albert Thomas (4:06.5), John Murray (4:08.0), and Herb Elliott (4:04.6), the 1500-meter world record holder (and 1960 Olympic champion-to-be), set a World Record of 16:25.6 in the 4-mile relay in Melbourne.
Wilson: https://athletics-oceania.com/25/06/5802/
1969–Doris Brown-Heritage led the U.S. to the Women’s team title by winning her 3rd straight International/World X-Country title (4k) in Clydebank, Scotland. She got strong support from Maureen Dickson (2nd) and Cheryl Bridges (4th/Shalane Flanagan’s mom)
Other Winners and notable/U.S. finishers:
Senior Men (12k/England): Gaston Roelants (Belgium), 10.Mariano Haro (ESP), 11.Bill Clark (USA), 31.Tracy Smith (USA), 48.Charlie Messenger (USA), 82.Jim Murphy (USA), 95.Bill Norris(USA) , 102.Tom Heinonen (USA), 105.Chris McCubbins (USA); DNF_Mohammed Gamoudi (MAR)
Senior Women (4.0km): 21. Abby Hoffman (CAN)
Junior Men (7k/England): Dave Bedford (Great Britain), 4.John Hartnett (IRL),
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1969_International_Cross_Country_Championships
1970–Two International X-Country championships were held on the same weekend, American Doris Brown winning at the women-only event in Frederick, Maryland (3-21/England won the team title), and England’s Mike Tagg, Italy’s Paola Pigni, and Ireland’s John Hartnett (Jr.Men) winning in Vichy, France (3-22).
Other notable/U.S. finishers
Vichy
Senior Men (12.1km) 2.Gaston Roelants (BEL), 13.Emiel Puttemans (BEL), 23.Grant McLaren (CAN), 48.Kenny Moore (USA), 51.Tom Heinonen (USA), 64.John Loeschorn (USA), 76.Cliff Clark (USA), 92.Charlie Messenger (USA), 93.Bill Norris (USA), 95.Dave Bedford (ENG); Team: England
Senior Women (3km): Team: Netherlands
Junior Men (7.0km):10.Franco Fava (ITA); Team: England (No U.S. team)
Frederick (4km): 13.Francie Larrieu(USA), 18.Cheryl Bridges(USA), 34.Adrienne Beames (AUS); Team: 1. England 18, 2.USA 46
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