ASHBURTON HARRIERS' CLUB.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXIX, Issue 7813, 4 June 1909, Page 4

ASHBURTON HARRIERS' CLUB.

CROSS-COUNTRY RACE.

The first cross-country race m connection with the recently-formed Ashburton Harriers' Club took place on Thursday afternoon, the starting point being front the hockey ground m the Domain. The route taken Was by way of the County Hospital, across the •north-west, belt, through Mr J. M. Cambridge's Alicnton. property, io Mr H. Stephenson's -residence, . "Winter's road. A..detour was then made through Mr. "Wiiiers! to the Racecourse road, and thence iii a direct line.to Mr W... J. Silcpck's. property, adjoining the Zetland Lodge, via Creek road to the hew domain avenue gates on the north-east belt,. subsequently finishing .at the starting point. The course, which was laid down by Mr W. Simpson and others, included some pretty stiff country, and the time m which the distance —approximately 4 miles—was accomplished by the three' placed men was very creditable. The following were the starters: E. Beaumont (3 minutes handicap), Sarney and A. Broome ('l\ mm.), W. B. Kearney and P. Smith Oimin.), E. Scales, S. Bowkett, B. Shearer and H. Sheldon (ljmin), S. Kingston (lmin), L. Helem (45sec), E. Coker (15sec), and L. Hill (scratch). The race, which was started by Mr E. F. Grigg. and timed by Mr S. Crooks, was watched by a fairly large number of enthusiasts, and resulted as follows: E Coker, 23min ssec, 1; L. Hill 23miu 23sec, 2; P. Smith, 23min 33sec, 3. Others to finish were: S.-Bowkett, E. Scales, Sarney and A. Broome, m the order given. - A protest was ; lodged against the winner by L. Hill, on the grounds that he shortened the course by cutting a corner and failing to negotiate three fences, which were m the line laid down. At a meeting held last night, the committee upheld the protest, and awarded the race to the next man, L. Hill.