ATHLETICS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 27, 13 November 1935, Page 3

ATHLETICS

THE TRACK SEASON AT HAND.

NOTES ON PROMINENT RUNNERS.

(By “Tli© Man at the Tape”)

Athletes who competed at opening meetings on Labour Day should remember that they cannot expect to produce anything like their best form at these meetings as they cannot be in proper racing condition with the limited amount of training they have had so far. As in the past many made the mistake of realising that they were mot quite fit and trained hard right up to the last moment. This should be avoided, as stiffness will result. The best plan is to do easy jogging work, interspersed with occasional fast runs, according to the distance to be raced. In the South practically all the star athletes of last year intend competing again, while a number of them are already in qtiite good fettle. Lachie MeLachlan, of Dunedin, has been in light training for over a month now and is confident that this season he will be able to regain his New Zealand mile title. He will certainly have a big advantage- over his competitors, in that the race will be run on his home ground. A Fast Sprinter. E. Forne, of Napier, is also, reported to be doing light work. He is not: likely to relinquish the title he won at Wanganui last season without a hard fight, and as he possesses a fast sprint, quite the equal of McLachlan’s a great mile race between this pair should result. ■ W. A. Pullar has been resting since his return from Australia-, but will soon he on the track again. He is keen to see the 3000 metres steeplechase included in the New Zealand programme this year. If this is done, he would be a most difficult man to defeat, as he can maintain a lot of pace over this distance and he as an adept hixi’dler. W. Macfarlane, national 100 yards champion, is doing light training and is hopeful of becoming a definite aspirant for Olympic honours. He proved a class sprinter in Melbourne last season but it is doubtfxxl whether he is up to Olympic standard. C. Matthews, of Christchurch, is another Southern star who is keen to gain a place in the Olympic team and after his 3000 metres success in Melbourne he must be considered. His times, however, are well below Olympic standard, and he will have to do' something sensational to warrant his inclusion. G . Broadway, of Christchurch, will be a different man this coming season, After his trips abi’oad last season to England and Australia he was vexy stale and over-trained for the latter part of the New Zealand season. His showing at Wanganni was only a semblance of his true ability. He has had a good spell this winter and as he will have to travel only to Dunedin he will he the most difficult competitor to heat in the quarter and half-mile events. Cross-Country Crown. Judged on Fred dolman's impressive running of late and the performance he put up in the four-mile V.A.A.A. open cross-country race at Maribyrnong on June 8, when he registered 22.6, he should take some beating in the Australian 10,000 metres championship to he held at Sydney, states a Melbourne writer. Barwiclc is holder of the title but as lie has announced his retirement from the track, dolman will receive most opposition from his own State and New South Wales. Victoria should be able to field a strong team, as O. Hansen (St. S.) was next best with 22.34, while E, Schmidt (Carlton), J. W. Newman (East Melbourne), T. Howat (Collingwood) and S. Blake (Malvern) were also in good fettle. The winner on June 8 proved to be A. W. Bray (Middle Bark) 2.25, out of a field of 168, with Blake (Malvern) 2.10 second and Stan McQuie (Malvern) 2.10, third. The time was 23.14. The Victorian selectors are to pay special attention to the form of distance men over the next few weeks. Retirement of Evans. One New Zealand champion who has definitely retired is D'. Evans, who can be ranked as one of the greatest mid-dle-distance men the Dominion has produced. Oyer 440 and 880 yards he was a brilliant performer and his national record of lm 54 4-5 s for the longer race still stands. Ho finished his career last season with a brilliant victory in the national half-mile championship at Wanganui and although lie will probably have a few runs with lus club this year he has definitely finished with championship racing. A. J. Elliot, former sprint champion, has retired from racing, but his athletic career is far from over as he is taking a great interest in field events. With the shot and the discus he has already given some fine performances without any particular study of these events and, consequently, with some concentration he may easily develop into the star he was on the track. J. Hedley, the Rotorua all-rounder, is said to be making special preparations for his events this season and he is another athlete from whom good performances can be expected. Althoug; l he did not win an Auckland title last year he went close enough to suggest that a slightly better effort this year will give him victory. Another Rotorua runner who impressed last year which was lus first in big company, was T- Kerr, the quarteimiler. Although he did not do much training, he ran a close second to Bambridge in the Auckland title event in fast time and then at Wanganu. he was close up third to Bambndg Black in the national event, which was won in 49 2-ssec. He also ran a fine quarter-mile for Auckland in the piovincial relay race.