Rod Dixon to retrace his 'crowning glory'

New Zealander Rod Dixon will retrace what he described as the "crowning glory" of his athletics career when he runs the New York Marathon next month.

Dixon, 58, won the 42.2km event 25 years ago, and will mark the anniversary by taking part again on November 2 (NZ time).

This time, he will have for company his eldest daughter, Emma, who suggested the return.

In 1983, Dixon, a 1500m Olympic bronze medallist, grabbed a dramatic come-from-behind victory, crossing line in Central Park after two hours eight minutes and 59 seconds.

He came home just nine seconds ahead of Geoff Smith, overtaking the Englishman with 400 metres to go.

The scene at the finish was captured in an iconic photo, with Dixon pictured about to raise his arms in triumph while Smith is behind him, collapsed on his back in exhaustion.

Los Angeles-based Dixon said today that he would be adopting a more leisurely approach this year, taking in the sights with a smile on his face.

But he would still have a plan in place and he and Emma, 28, were targeting a time of three hours 30 minutes to three hours 40 minutes.

He said he was feeling plenty of excitement about returning to the course that runs through New York's five boroughs.

"To come back and join with all my friends and all previous winners is going to be a big thrill," he said.

"Winning New York City was a defining moment in my life and the icing on my athletics career."

Dixon said he would also be taking part in memory of the late Fred Lebow, event director from 1970 to 1993, who convinced him to adopt the victory mantra of "from the mile to the marathon".

Although his serious competitive career ended 20 years ago, he had continued to run every other day, as he had done "since I was about 12 and joined a running club".

His build-up for next month had including clocking 4min 47sec for a mile 10 days ago.

Regarded as one of the top middle-distance runners of his era, Nelson-born Dixon won the 1500m bronze medal at the 1972 Munich Olympics.

Four years later at the Montreal Games, he finished fourth in the 5000m.

He also collected bronze medals at the world cross country championships in 1973 and 1982 and had success on the United States road racing circuit.

- NZPA