Capital Classic: Jelley, 87, and still going strong

BY PENNY MILES

Age has is no way blunted Arch Jelley's enthusiasm for athletics.

The 87-year-old Aucklander who coached John Walker to many highlights throughout his 20-year athletics career, including the Olympic 1500m gold medal in 1976, now trains Wellington middle-distance runner Hamish Carson.

Bridge and bowls take most of Jelley's time. He still makes public appearances and last July came to Wellington to award Walker his life membership from Athletics New Zealand.

While everyone wants to hear Jelley's anecdotes about leading Walker's campaign to break the 3min 50sec barrier for the mile, the former school principal keeps these stories to himself. Jelley is cautious talking up Carson's prospects, but becomes highly animated on the subject of middle distance star, Nick Willis.

"It's tremendous to have someone like Nick Willis here for so many weeks," Jelley enthuses.

"He's a real class act and it's fantastic for athletics. He's done marvellously while based overseas, and of course he was a pretty good athlete when he left here too."

Jelley predicts the Olympic 1500m medallist will cruise home over 3000m at the Capital Classic tonight.

"Willis would have to be the outstanding favourite," Jelley said. "One very good young runner is Aaron Pulford. He's an outstanding junior but he's more of an endurance man, and Hamish is the opposite.

"Hamish will be hanging on like grim death, and the endurance men will be out to run away from the sprinters. But of course people like Willis have got it both ways. He's strong and fast."

For the record, Walker told an assembled forum at the Athletics NZ general meeting last year of his coach's contribution to his outstanding career. Jelley recognised something special in Walker at 17 during a harriers meet. Walker still feels gratitude, because at the time he believed he was no good. Later it was Jelley, Walker says, who gave him the belief to achieve greatness.

"He said I would break 3min 50sec for the mile, but I hadn't even broken anything by that time.

"He said that one day I would emulate Peter Snell's records and win the Olympic gold medal.

"They're pretty bold statements when you're a young kid."

The baton has been passed a generation, and Walker runs his Field of Dreams-titled programme encouraging young Aucklanders into athletics.

Jelley likes what he sees in his latest charge, Carson, but quips not to give him a big write-up. He meets the 21-year-old only when travel allows, but they email and speak weekly on the phone. He uses Arthur Lydiard's principles, as he did for Walker.

"He's [Carson] going to improve a lot from now on. He's got very good prospects. I wouldn't say exactly what he'll do, but he's a good athlete."

Carson, who aspires to run at the Commonwealth Games, and who was second last year in the Petone Street Mile, couldn't believe his luck when Jelley agreed to take him under his wing 4 1/2 years ago.

"He's got some amazing stories," Carson says.

"It's a very amazing life that he's led with John Walker and Rod Dixon going over to Europe."

Jelley competed last month at the national bowls championships. Far from disgracing himself, the seven-year bowler reached post-section play in the singles and pairs in Lower Hutt.

Bridge is another of Jelley's interests, and unsurprisingly, he finds himself coaching again.

"I coach about 20 altogether now, but that's at bridge not athletics."

"I do a lot of genealogy work, and I'm quite keen on photography. I've got a few grandchildren to keep me happy."

- © Fairfax NZ News