Obscure running record holder Bailey dies

Athletics New Zealand says William "Bill" Bailey, the holder of now-obscure world records in 20,000m and one-hour running events, has died at the age of 84.

New Zealand athlete William "Bill" Bailey, who had held now-obscure world records in 20,000-metre and one-hour running events, has died aged 84.

Bailey died on Christmas Day and no cause of death had been released, according to Athletics New Zealand.

At the time he broke the records, they had a higher status than today and were held by the Czech legend Emil Zatopek.

Bailey broke both marks in 1963 in the same race in Auckland. In one hour, he covered 12 miles, 960 yards, seven inches or 20.19km.

In 2013, he remembered "there was no doubt in my mind that I was going to do it on that particular day. When it finished and everyone had gone home, I thought I better go home and mow the lawns."

Bailey competed in the 5000m at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics and at four Commonwealth Games from 1954 to 1966.