Kevin Taylor

Kevin Taylor, born in 1950, sprang to prominence in the 1970s and 80s, walking at two Commonwealth Games and the inaugural world track and field championships, in Helsinki in 1983. 

At the 1974 Christchurch Commonwealth Games, Taylor, a tough, never-give-in character, had the soul-destroying experience of being disqualified from the 20-mile (32.19km) walk after only 4km. He returned to the Commonwealth Games at Brisbane in 1982 and this time was 15th in the 30km walk after 2h 33min 37s of hard grind.

Perhaps surprisingly, New Zealand sent three walkers to Helsinki in 1983 - Taylor, Shane Donnelly and Keith Olsthoom. Taylor was the best performed of the trio, finishing 39th of the 60 starters in 1h 30min 38s.

Taylor was the first president when the Auckland Race Walking Association (later Race Walking Auckland) was formed in 1983.

He kept walking through the 1980s and at the 1990 Oceania championships set a New Zealand record of 23min 12.58s on his way to winning the 35+ age category for the 5000m walk.

Taylor was a prolific national champion. He won the 20km title from 1973-76 and 1982-84, the 30km event in 1983, 1985 and 1986, and the 50km monster in 1978 – 11 championships in all.

In later life, Taylor set up a print/marketing company and a desktop printing company. He joined forces with distance runner Kevin Ryan and they promoted a 12-week winter series of road races at the Owairaka and Manurewa athletics clubs. They then set their sights set on a multi-sports day, including a marathon.

Taylor took up race cycling and competed in the odd triathlon, settling on the Gold Coast.