Heather Matthews

Heather Matthews (formally Thomson), first represented New Zealand in 1969 at the Pacific Conference Games in Tokyo.

She was  also a world cross-country representative from 1971 to 1979, and captained the highly successful women's team to the 1975 championships in Rabat, Morocco where the team placed second.

Through the 70's and 80's she was one of New Zealand's leading track runners; winning a silver medal at the Edmonton 1978 Commonwealth Games in the 3000 mtrs. on the track.

She retired at the age of 47 years after breaking the world mile record for her age group.