In taking out the National 10,000m Championship at Inglewood, Phil Costley collected his 30th New Zealand Title and completed an extraordinary set of titles. These Athletics New Zealand National Championship titles cover all the 10 different distance events from 3000m through to the marathon.
Initially a steeplechaser, Phil collected his first title in Hamilton in 1993 while pursuing a Commonwealth Games qualifier. The race was a virtual time trial until the final lap when club-mate Hamish Christensen found another gear and tried to run down a tired Costley. However Costley held on for the win in what remains his personal best 8min 39.96sec while Christensen clocked 8min 40.01sec for second. The third spot on the podium was filled by another Hastings team member, Matt Holder, giving the club a unique set of medals.
While each title holds significant memories for Costley, the 1997 Cross Country is amongst his favourites. Over the two years leading into this race he had posted third and second places and, with home ground advantage running in Hastings, he cleared out from the chasing pack early and was never headed as he claimed his first of six long-course cross-country titles. His record in Cross Country Championships has been outstanding with 12 podium finishes over 14 years, having missed only two championships due to Commonwealth Games and an injury.
In covering running disciplines over such a range of distances, Costley is adamant that his training does not vary a great deal from event to event. A real follower of the Lydiard programme, a steady and continuous training programme of miles has provided him with strength and stamina. A product of the Potts stable which also produced numerous other talented athletes, he did not stand out as a junior with 35th his best placing at the NZ Secondary Schools Cross-country but, with commitment, dedication and inspiration from well- performed sister Jillian, results have since flowed. After a stint coaching himself to more titles, Costley enlisted the services of Sam McLean to oversee his training and bounce ideas off. This gave immediate results as he recorded a best 5000m time in 2007 at an age when most are considering hanging up the shoes.
Spectators are quick to notice the age old tactic Costley often employs in his races as he applies pressure and builds a lead mid race. Although a tough way to win some races, he is quick to put it down to “a lack of real speed” and feels “the home straight sprint is a bit of a lottery, and I haven’t had too much luck in Lotto. If the race can be all but over prior to the final straight I am all for that. It will inevitably hurt for a while, but the hurting will usually stop at the finish line, especially if the win is achieved”. This self-doubt of speed has him joking that in some shorter races he has to employ his finishing kick “when the gun sounds”. However, with a national 1500m silver in his bag, the speed may just be there when he calls on it.
Such an extensive list of achievements must come with a great deal of memorabilia. The national medals hang proudly on a wall sorted chronologically, although Costley admits “the weight is getting a little too much for the string” and so it should as the national medal haul currently totals 53, of which 30 are gold, 12 are silver and 11 bronze.
The question of possible retirement is often asked of Costley who is quick to point out “I’m not finished yet!” and on when the day to hang up the shoes, will come he replies “when I stop enjoying it”. He admits he did consider retirement back in 1996, but after a week off found himself out again simply because he enjoyed it. It was during this run that he developed his now well known aeroplane routine, a statement from Costley to the spectators at the end of each race that I am out here having fun and enjoying myself. Sometimes the spectators even request the routine from the sideline, when they yell “Come on Phil give us the Aeroplane”.
And of the 30 National Titles, it was a gentleman’s bet with walker Craig Barrett to get to 30 first which spurred him on. “Craig has been waiting at the finish line for some time now, so it is great to finally make it to the mark”. With Barrett retiring on 32 titles, another challenge may face him as he heads towards the 37 titles held by Val Young.
An avid racer, Costley is always keen to step out on a start line and this has given rise to a host of titles at both national and provincial levels which currently combine to a total of 98. He’s keen to hit the century and claim “a ton of titles”. His next stop is London in an attempt to qualify for the Olympic Games Marathon, and then he will be back to the title hunt as he eyes up the one title he has not attempted yet when he steps out over 100km….watch this space!
