ATHLETICS.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 13, 16 January 1929, Page 17

ATHLETICS.

OTAGO LOSES J. G. BARNES. (By Telegraph.— Own Correspondent.) DUNEDIX, this day. Otago athletic circles are to suffer a severe loss by the departure for Christchurch of J. G. Barnes, the brilliant Civil Service athlete. He is one of the best distance runners Otago has had for years, and one for whom high honours were predicted before long, as he is not so long out of his 'teens. In 1927 Barnes won the Edmond Cup steeplechase over three miles at Wingatui, and followed this up by being second to J. W. Tapp in the Otago crosscountry championship. He finished fifth in the New Zealand cross-country championship at Christchurch, being the second Otago man home. In 1928 Barnes won the Edmond Cup steeplechase again in a field of some 120 runners or more, and secured fastest time in the Port road race, one of the hardest races of its kind in New Zealand. Then he won the Otago cross-country championship in brilliant fashion in good time, but unfortunately developed a bad leg. He started in the New Zealand cross-country championship, despite this handicap, and. running under difficulties. finished twelfth. Had he been well there is but little doubt he would have troubled the placed men. On the flat Barnes has done some great running over the mile. His best last season was 4m 31s for the mile, off five yards, but in good hands he is capable of still better times, and Canterbury is fortunate in securing so brilliant a performer.