CROSS-COUNTRY CHAMPIONS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 190, 13 August 1928, Page 12

CROSS-COUNTRY CHAMPIONS.

SAVIDAN BEATS ROSE. WELLINGTON WIN TEAM HONOURS. (By Telegraph.—Special to "Star.") WANGANUI, Saturday. Perfect weather prevailed for the New Zealand cross-country championship race decided this afternoon over a 6£ mile course which is described by visiting competitors as ideal for such an event. Thirty-one started. Savidan, last year's winner, took the lead closely followed by Rose. After going 1£ miles Savidan was 20 yards ahead of Rose with Silver next 50 yards in front of Tapp, who was 30 yards in the lead of the Wellington men Stevens, Andrews, and Bayne, who were all running together. Here the runners had to tackle up and down hill work and this told on Rose, the Aucklander gaining rapidly and at 4£ miles he was leading Silver by 350 yards, the latter being 20 yards in front of Rose, who was 50 yards in front of Tapp. From this point on Savidan was not troubled and he continued in an even pace running very strongly to finish well 250 yards ahead of Rose, who just squeezed home ahead of Silver, with whom he had a great tussle for second place. Then came Tapp, Stevens, Morris, Kells, Gibbons, Andrews, Bayne, Farquharson, Barnes, Sheppard, Crum, and McLaren at intervals.

The teams championship was won by Wellington with 19 points, Otago 31 second, Auckland 41 third. Wanganui was fourth, and Canterbury fifth. Savidan's time was 38m 465, Rose's 39m 30s, and Silver's 39in 30Js. Savidan ran a great race and never looked like being beaten after they had covered threequarters of a mile. He led all the way. <T. W. Savidan haR been recognised during the past few seasons as one of the best long distance runners Auckland has produced. He is the present holder of the one mile and three miles championship of Auckland and also holds a New Zealand title. He won the New Zealand Cross-country Championship at Canterbury last year.