Anne Audain shares her scrapbook photos  

Anne Audain (nee Garrett) overcame adversity to become one of New Zealand’s well-renown runners. Coached by Gordon Pirie from 1970-1980 and later John Davies from 1980-1992. Anne was introduced to orienteering by Gordon Pirie, but went on to pioneer professional running for women. Anne set a world record in the 5000m and winning the Commonwealth Gold at 3000m in 1982. Anne was inducted into the USA Running Hall of Fame in 2008, the New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame in 2009, and honoured with a Member of the British Empire Medal from Queen Elizabeth II of England for her contributions to athletics.

In her early orienteering, Anne won the Australian Orienteering champs in the 70’s and has shared some early photos and articles on orienteering from her running scrapbook for our 50th year. 

Included below here is a report on trials to qualify for the NZ team where Anne won with the Vercoe sisters Margaret & Pauline in second and third place. Pauline and Margaret Vercoe were also coached by Gordon., and Anne says ” We were all members of the Otahuhu Athletics Club”. 

The second 1973 report is from an event held on a family day in Waiuku forest. Miss Garrett was reported as being “faster over the same course than three of the 1973 New Zealand representative senior men.”

Photos from the top: Anne at the finish line competing with Australian & NZ teams, Anne at a control in Woodhill (we love the bucket control), and a photo of the NZ & Australian teams (it seems to be only the men pictured) from Anne’s scrapbook. 

More about Anne’s running after orienteering on Youtube