Ian Babe has cleared many hurdles in his time, both as a competitor and a coach. Photo/ John Stone
Ian Babe has cleared many hurdles in his time, both as a competitor and a coach. Photo/ John Stone
LEGENDARY athletics stalwart Ian Babe has announced he is easing back his commitments and hands-on duties as a concentrated high-performance athletics coach and administrator to Northland's finest.
Instead, the capacity he works in will involve mainly mentoring type roles, although he says he will continue "going to the gym 3-4 times a week," as well as "long walks, bike rides," and the odd patter up and down Mt Parihaka and the Western Hills to keep himself in shape - nothing too strenuous.
Aged 79, but still possessing the will and exuberance of a 21-year-old, Babe says he's at peace with his decision to take one last wipe of the brow before leaving the towel on the track.
Motivated to spend more time with his dear wife Val and his grandchildren, he also says he has had to pull back on the hectic workload to keep his health in check.
"It's been a long journey in sport both as a competitor and as a coach," Babe says,
"It accumulated in an [stomach] ulcer last year. I was spewing up blood and the doctor was getting pretty worried. Healthwise I'm fairly good about what I'm doing now. It's more time with my lovely wife and grandchildren, so just low-key support for clubs now - I'm no longer the one who has to make all of the decisions."
Hanging up the coaches whistle also means he now has more time to pause and reflect on his glorious achievements of yesteryear.
"I've got a couple of mates who catch up for coffee regularly and we reflect on the past quite a bit," Babe says.
Ian Babe, right, hurdling alongside Colin Cunningham in 1958. Photo/ Supplied.
One memory that sprints to mind frequently is when he ran what is often observed as the fastest first up steeplechase time ever run in New Zealand, in 1966, with a time of 8:53.2. This stood as a New Zealand record for two weeks, and is still a Northland record to this day.
Though this ranked him fourth in the Commonwealth at the time, and poised him for a spot in the New Zealand team for the 1966 Commonwealth Games in Jamaica, an unfortunate illness hindered Babe from competing at Nationals and spelt ruin for his dreams of qualification.
Up-and-comer Peter Welsh was selected instead, and won gold.
"John Walker's coach Arch Jelley, when I wasn't selected for Jamaica, was irate. When you compare myself and Welsh I was far better," Babe says.
"That was probably the biggest reason I went to do the Masters - it was payback time."
Coming back from the 1987 World Veterans Championships in Melbourne as a double world champion, Babe, a 50-year-old at the time, was able to put his mind at ease.
One of four male New Zealand 1500m runners to bring home doubles - alongside John Dixon, Dave Sirl, and Derek Turnbull - Babe won a 1500m gold medal in his age-group and gold in the 800m.
Another aspect he reflects on fondly involves the hours spent digging for Northland's next big thing.
"I've had some really outstanding athletes," but "they don't come along very often," he adds.
Some of his young chargers who have gone on to do extremely well both in New Zealand and overseas include Michelle Prowse, Mary Davies (who Babe refers to as "just a shy girl from Ruakaka") and former Olympic medallist, Commonwealth Games star and ITU World champion Sam Warriner.
"His attention to detail was amazing," Warriner recalls.
Ady Mckenzie (nee Ngawati, left,) and Sam Warriner were lucky to have Ian Babe's influence early in their careers.
"Ian was a silent-strong coach [and] he drove home that you've got to do the basics right and be the best you can.
"He always had the time for you. I remember going into the Commonwealth Games and he was sending me inspirational quotes through email. I really appreciate all of the support and advice he has given to me."
Babe's reach extended far beyond athletics and triathlon, however.
His work with the Northland rugby team on many past occasions is well documented.
A former Northland rugby rep himself, his techniques and methods were well beyond their time, yet indeed influenced many North Auckland and Northland teams, and are said to be the underlying force which helped North Auckland go unbeaten in 1977, escape the depths of the provincial competition's Division Two, and then go on to win the Ranfurly Shield in 1978.
Other notable athletes Babe has worked with include New Zealand cricketers Tim Southee and Bryan Young, New Zealand basketballer and netballer Megan Craig, Northland rugby legends David Holwell and Todd Miller, as well as the elusive yet talent-laden Fijian-flyer Rupeni Caucaunibuca.
"In the coaching side I've always loved finding them. It's a pretty special feeling ... they've got talent and discipline, but have also got that really good attitude."
Although he's relinquished his duties as an athletics coach, one last roll of the dice awaits Babe this winter.
Agreeing to help Whangarei Boys' High School's 1st XV for their debut season in the North Harbour 1A rugby competition, Babe has come on board to help with conditioning, general fitness, and rugby specific work.
This is something he says will give him an honourable chance to give back to his former high school.
"The reason I've been able to keep coaching is because I continue to keep up and keep training.
"That's going to be interesting helping these young guys. It will be special to finish off with something like this."
With his life balance back, Babe says he's feeling a box of budgies, and for once this means he'll be able to venture into the unknown; partaking in past opportunities forgone.
"For the first time Val and I are going to go to our timeshare in Paihia," something he says has usually gone amiss because "I've always had athletes training through the summer".
