Dick Quax
Encyclopedia
Theodorus Jacobus Leonardus "Dick" Quax (born January 1, 1948 in Alkmaar
, Netherlands
) is a New Zealand runner and former world record holder in the 5000 metres
. He stood for Parliament with the ACT Party in 1999 and 2002. He served as a Manukau City councillor from 2001 to 2007, when he stood unsuccessfully for mayor.
. He has 3 children, 1 daughter from a previous marriage, and 2 sons from his current marriage. He currently lives in Pakuranga, Auckland with his wife and 2 sons. He has 2 brothers and 2 sisters. Birkenhead based band Half Man Half Biscuit
mentioned Dick in A Lilac Harry Quinn, from the album McIntyre, Treadmore and Davitt.
, Quax won the silver medal in the 1500 metres
. He competed in the 5000 metres at the 1972 Summer Olympics but was eliminated in the heats. Quax won silver in the 5000 metres at the 1976 Summer Olympics
.
In 1977 at Stockholm
, Sweden he set a new world record time of 13m 12.9s in the 5000 metres. This record would stand less than a year, but as a national record it stood for over 31 years, until beaten by Adrian Blincoe
in July 2008.
Early in 1980, at the Stanford Stadium track, Quax just missed Jos Hermens
' 15K World Record by five seconds, running a New Zealand national record of 43:01.7
In his later career Quax switched his focus to the marathon, running a 2:11:13 in his debut marathon for 4th place at the Nike/OTC Marathon race in 1979, at that time the fastest debut marathon in history. In 1980 he returned and won the race in a New Zealand record time of 2:10:47 He did not compete in the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow due to the West's boycott.
and 2002
general elections.
On 13 October 2007 Dick Quax lost his bid to become mayor of Manukau to Len Brown
by 14,000 votes. During this election, Quax complained to the electoral office over an "offensive flyer" depicting him and members of his People's Choice party as the Thunderbirds
. His complaint was not upheld as there was no evidence to suggest who had posted the flyers.
Quax stood with Jami-Lee Ross
for Citizens & Ratepayers in the 2010
Auckland Council
elections. Quax missed out on a seat, losing to Ross by 253 votes. In 2011 Quax was elected to the council after a by election was held in Howick due to Ross resigning after becoming a Member of Parliament
.
Alkmaar
Alkmaar is a municipality and a city in the Netherlands, in the province of Noord Holland. Alkmaar is well known for its traditional cheese market. For tourists, it is a popular cultural destination.-History:...
, Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
) is a New Zealand runner and former world record holder in the 5000 metres
5000 metres
The 5000 metres is a popular running distance also known as 5 km or 5K in American English. It is one of the track events in the Olympic Games and the World Championships in Athletics. "5000 metres" refers to racing on a track and "5K" usually refers to a roadrace or cross country event...
. He stood for Parliament with the ACT Party in 1999 and 2002. He served as a Manukau City councillor from 2001 to 2007, when he stood unsuccessfully for mayor.
Personal life
Quax was educated at Hamilton Boys' High SchoolHamilton Boys' High School
Hamilton Boys' High School is a boys' secondary school in Hamilton, New Zealand. The school was established as Hamilton High School in 1903 but was later split into separate boys' and girls' schools. The school crest features a lion, sash and star, and bears the motto "Sapiens Fortunam Fingit Sibi"...
. He has 3 children, 1 daughter from a previous marriage, and 2 sons from his current marriage. He currently lives in Pakuranga, Auckland with his wife and 2 sons. He has 2 brothers and 2 sisters. Birkenhead based band Half Man Half Biscuit
Half Man Half Biscuit
Half Man Half Biscuit, often "HMHB", are an English rock band from Birkenhead, Merseyside, active since the mid-1980s, known for satirical, sardonic, and sometimes surreal songs. The group comprises Nigel Blackwell , Neil Crossley , Ken Hancock , and Carl Henry...
mentioned Dick in A Lilac Harry Quinn, from the album McIntyre, Treadmore and Davitt.
Athletic career
At the 1970 British Commonwealth Games1970 British Commonwealth Games
The 1970 British Commonwealth Games were held in Edinburgh, Scotland from 16 July to 25 July 1970.This was the first time the name British Commonwealth Games was adopted, the first time metric units rather than imperial units were used in events, and also the first time the games were held in...
, Quax won the silver medal in the 1500 metres
1500 metres
The 1,500-metre run is the premier middle distance track event.Aerobic endurance is the biggest factor contributing to success in the 1500 metres but the athlete also requires significant sprint speed.In modern times, the 1,500-metre run has been run at a pace faster than the average person could...
. He competed in the 5000 metres at the 1972 Summer Olympics but was eliminated in the heats. Quax won silver in the 5000 metres at the 1976 Summer Olympics
1976 Summer Olympics
The 1976 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXI Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event celebrated in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, in 1976. Montreal was awarded the rights to the 1976 Games on May 12, 1970, at the 69th IOC Session in Amsterdam, over the bids of Moscow and...
.
In 1977 at Stockholm
Stockholm
Stockholm is the capital and the largest city of Sweden and constitutes the most populated urban area in Scandinavia. Stockholm is the most populous city in Sweden, with a population of 851,155 in the municipality , 1.37 million in the urban area , and around 2.1 million in the metropolitan area...
, Sweden he set a new world record time of 13m 12.9s in the 5000 metres. This record would stand less than a year, but as a national record it stood for over 31 years, until beaten by Adrian Blincoe
Adrian Blincoe
Adrian Blincoe is a New Zealand middle distance runner who specializes mainly in the 5000 metres. He also competes in the 1500 metres and in the 3000 metres. In July 2008, Adrian set the New Zealand record in the 5000m, running 13:10.19...
in July 2008.
Early in 1980, at the Stanford Stadium track, Quax just missed Jos Hermens
Jos Hermens
Josephus Maria Melchior Hermens is a former Dutch long-distance runner, also known for his latter career as a sports manager....
' 15K World Record by five seconds, running a New Zealand national record of 43:01.7
In his later career Quax switched his focus to the marathon, running a 2:11:13 in his debut marathon for 4th place at the Nike/OTC Marathon race in 1979, at that time the fastest debut marathon in history. In 1980 he returned and won the race in a New Zealand record time of 2:10:47 He did not compete in the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow due to the West's boycott.
Personal bests
| Distance | Time | Place | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5000 m | 13:12.87 | Stockholm | 1977 |
| 10000 m | 27:41.95 NR New Zealand records in athletics The following are the national records in athletics in New Zealand maintained by New Zealand's national athletics federation: Athletics New Zealand .... |
London | 1977 |
Politician
In October 2001 Quax was elected to the Manukau City Council from the Pakuranga ward and subsequently re-elected in 2004 to represent the new Botany-Clevedon ward after a failed bid for the Manukau mayoralty. He is also a member of the ACT Party having stood as a list candidate in the 1999New Zealand general election, 1999
The 1999 New Zealand general election was held on 27 November 1999 to determine the composition of the 46th New Zealand Parliament. The governing National Party, led by Prime Minister Jenny Shipley, was defeated, being replaced by a coalition of Helen Clark's Labour Party and the smaller Alliance...
and 2002
New Zealand general election, 2002
The 2002 New Zealand general election was held on 27 July 2002 to determine the composition of the 47th New Zealand Parliament. It saw the reelection of Helen Clark's Labour Party government, as well as the worst-ever performance by the opposition National Party.Arguably the most controversial...
general elections.
On 13 October 2007 Dick Quax lost his bid to become mayor of Manukau to Len Brown
Len Brown
Len Brown is the Mayor of Auckland in New Zealand and the head of the Auckland Council. He won the 2010 Auckland mayoral election on 9 October 2010 and was sworn in as Mayor of Auckland on 1 November 2010, being the first to hold that title for the amalgamated Auckland 'Super City'...
by 14,000 votes. During this election, Quax complained to the electoral office over an "offensive flyer" depicting him and members of his People's Choice party as the Thunderbirds
Thunderbirds (TV series)
Thunderbirds is a British mid-1960s science fiction television show devised by Gerry and Sylvia Anderson and made by AP Films using a form of marionette puppetry dubbed "Supermarionation"...
. His complaint was not upheld as there was no evidence to suggest who had posted the flyers.
Quax stood with Jami-Lee Ross
Jami-Lee Ross
Jami-Lee Ross is a New Zealand National Party Member of Parliament for Botany, having won the 2011 Botany by-election on 5 March.-Early life:...
for Citizens & Ratepayers in the 2010
Auckland local elections, 2010
The Auckland local elections, 2010 took place from 17 September until 9 October and were conducted by postal vote. The elections were the first since the merger of the seven councils and elected the new Auckland Council, composed of the mayor, 20 members of the Governing Body, and 149 members of 21...
Auckland Council
Auckland Council
The Auckland Council is the council for the Auckland Region in New Zealand. It began operating on 1 November 2010, combining the functions of the existing regional council and the region's seven previous city and district councils into one "super council" or "super city" governed by a mayor, 20...
elections. Quax missed out on a seat, losing to Ross by 253 votes. In 2011 Quax was elected to the council after a by election was held in Howick due to Ross resigning after becoming a Member of Parliament
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
.