lydiard's impressive results as a runner, and trainer, soon attracted many followers and inspired the auckland joggers club -  this club starting a movement for fitness, particularly among men with heart problems.

the lydiard approach was introduced to a wider international audience after bill bowerman visited new zealand in 1962 - bowerman, track coach at the university of oregon, was impressed by the new zealandjogging scene and started the first running clubs in oregon.

bill went on to invent the 'waffle' shoe sole, made of rubber in his wife's waffle iron, before publishing the book 'jogging' with cardiologist waldo harris in 1967 and becoming co-founder of nike. the efforts of bowerman are considered to have sparked the running craze which began in the 1970s and continues to this day.