New Zealand running great Dick Quax has finally lost his long-running battle with cancer.

The Olympic 5000m silver medallist at the 1976 Montreal Games and former world record-holder died at Auckland's Middlemore Hospital on Monday morning, a close family friend confirmed to Stuff. Quax was aged 70.

The Aucklander, who alongside Sir John Walker and Rod Dixon presided over a golden era for New Zealand track and field in the 1970s, had been battling cancer for the best part of five years. It started in his head and neck area and had spread to other parts of his body.

STUFF

Dick Quax back in his heyday as one of the greats of New Zealand athletics.

"I'm not dying from cancer, I'm living with cancer," he told one interviewer back in January.

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The Dutch-born Quax, full name Theodorus Jacobus Leonardus Quax, came to New Zealand with his immigrant parents as a youngster in the 1950s, settling first in South Canterbury and then the Waikato.

It was while attending Hamilton Boys High School that he became serious about his running, with his natural abilities honed by the Arthur Lydiard training principles which had become popular at the time.

Quax emerged as one of New Zealand's finest athletes in a pinnacle era for the sport. He won a Commonwealth Games silver medal in 1970 in Edinburgh and at the 1976 Olympics was pipped in a thrilling final of the 5000m by Finland's Lasse Viren. The Kiwi was a metre and a-half behind the Finn, with compatriot Rod Dixon just beaten on the line for the bronze medal.

​Quax later told the NZ Herald that he often mused on how close he had come to an Olympic gold medal, and potential knighthood, given New Zealand's other three runners to have claimed Games glory and returned to live in the country had all been afforded the honour.

"You do wonder how life may have been different but I don't dwell on it," Quax told the Herald.

In his final ever interview, with Stuff for a to-be-published feature reflecting on his life, Quax added of the frustrations of coming so close to Olympic gold: "To get that close to winning a gold, it was a little bittersweet. [But] it doesn't bother me. It's sport."

Arguably his finest feat as an athlete came the following year, in 1977, when he broke the world record for 5000m when he clocked 13min 12.9sec at a race in Stockholm, Sweden.

Simon Smith

Dick Quax died on Monday morning.

He took great pride, even to this final days, that he had been one of only three New Zealanders to have broken a world track record at an Olympic distance (alongside Sir Peter Snell and Sir Murray Halberg).

After going close to the world record at the same venue the previous year, he told Stuff he had made a promise to the meet organisers: "I said to the promoters, 'I'll come back next year and break a world record for you'."

He was as good as his word.

Quax also worked as a sports promoter, both later in his running career and subsequent to his retirement. As well as putting on a number of international athletics meets, he also co-managed the exhibition bout between boxing great Muhammad Ali and Joe Bugner. 

Quax also carved a notable career in council politics. He was a Manukau City councillor from 2001 to 2007, during which he stood unsuccessfully for mayor, and has been an Auckland councillor since 2011. He was on health leave to deal with his cancer.

Tributes quickly flowed in from the New Zealand athletics community.

TARANNUM SHAIKH

Dick Quax with Howick councillor Sharon Stewart back in 2017.

"Right now this is the most emotional time. My great friend and competitor passed away peacefully in New Zealand this morning," posted Dixon on Facebook. "To his family my condolences and love at this most difficult time. Peaceful journey my great friend."

Added New Zealand's two-time Olympic 1500m medallist Nick Willis: "One of the all-time greats. Thanks Dick Quax for being such a great role model to me, and influence to our sport as an athlete, coach, and meet promoter. Will be sorely missed."

Auckland Mayor Phil Goff said Quax was a "passionate contributor in council debates, advocating strongly on behalf of his constituents".

"Dick battled his illness with courage and continued to work as long as he could on behalf of his community," Goff said.

"On behalf of Auckland Council, we offer our deepest sympathy and condolences to his family and friends at this difficult time."

Former Manukau mayor of 24 years Sir Barry Curtis described Quax as a" very fine New Zealander and wonderful athlete".

He added: "He made a very significant contribution to the social, economic, environmental and cultural wellbeing of a large, rapidly expanding Manukau city.

"Dick was a very likeable person. I knew he would bring to that council table considerable talent which would benefit the people of Manukau, particularly his very keen interest in recreation and sport."

In retirement, Curtis said he still had regular contact with Quax on civic matters.

"It's a sad day for the people of Manukau, for the people of Auckland and indeed New Zealand – the passing of Dick Quax, who had become, over many, many years, a household name within this city, this region and indeed this nation."

Quax is survived by his wife Roxanne and sons Jacob, 21, and Theo, 18. He also has a daughter from a previous marriage. Theo, is following in his father's footsteps as a runner, due to attend the University of Northern Arizona on a track and field scholarship.

 - Stuff