Manawatu Marathon

Eric Cairns the sole Victoria University entrant, won the 1971 Marathon held at Pal-merston North. His time of 2hrs 41min 29sec was an outstanding performance as 'his was only his second run over the distance.

Previous Vic winners have been John Souter (1967) and Peter Konig (1970). In all Vic runners have won the title 3 times out of the 5 years this race has been going for.