AMATEUR ATHLETICS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 103, 4 May 1931, Page 15

AMATEUR ATHLETICS.

AUCKLAND CLUB. Quite a fair muster of both athletes and spectators were at the Outer Domain on Saturday, when the Auckland Amateur Athletic and C.C. opened its series of winter competitions. Competition was of the keenest, and excellent finishes resulted in the running events. The programme comprised a 75yds handicap, mile and a half steeplechase, and field events. The sprint was annexed by W. Wheeler, who, starting off 10yds in the final, gained a victory by the closest of margins, the first five home being only separated by inches. In the main feature, the steeplechase, there were only twelve starters. The ultimate winner, Francis, was always well placed over the early stages, and taking the lead half a mile from home won nicely by five yards, with the third man 20yds away. Francis was having his first run with the club, and registered a brilliant initial performance. The results: — 75 YARDS HANDICAP. First Heat.— J. Turnbull (SJyds) 1, J. Dowle (14yds) 2, N. Cooper (11yds) 3. Time, Bs. Second Heat.—W. Wheeler (10yds) 1, W. Fraser (6yds) 2, W. Miller (6|yds) 3. Time, 7 3-ss. Third Heat.—A. Clarke 1, J. Dolan 2, H. McNeil 3. Time, 7 3-ss. Final.—W. Wheeler 1, A. Clarke 2, W. Fraser 3. Time, 7 2-ss. li MILES STEEPLECHASE. C. Francis (38k) 1 N. F. Cooper (8s) .«. 2 H. McNeill (60s) 3 Won by five yards, McNeill being 20yds away. Time, 8.25. Cooper gained fastest time, registering 7.25. PUTTING THE SHOT. W. G. Fraser (7ft 9in), 38ft lOlin ... 1 T. Elliott, sen. (lift 9in), 36ft lin .. 2 E. C. Wooller (7ft). 36ft 3

HARRIER CLUB RUNS.

The first run of the newly-formed Achilles Harrier Club was held on Saturday at Mount Albert Grammar School, over a track of five miles. The event started at 2 o'clock for a field of between 20 and 30. The course was from the school grounds round the mountain, finishing again at the school. After the start the harriers divided into two packs, and it was agreed that the race should end with a 200 yds sprint. Each starter put up a creditable performance, considering it was the first run of the season. Detailed results were :—First pack : A. R. Hill 1, W. Vaughan 2, R. C. Hussard 3, H. K. Gruzzning 4, J. C. Graham 5, V. M. Simmonds 6. Second pack: G. Sceats 1, A. B. Browne 2, A. G. Blamires 3. A cup for the harrier gaining most points in runs during the reason is to be presented to the club. At the end of each training run the pack assembles about 300 yds or 400 yds from home. Points awarded are:—First man, 3 points; second man, 2 points; and third man, 1 point Runs will be held each Saturday. On Saturday 14 members of the Technical Old Boys' Club visited the Calliope Harriers. The field comprised 24 runners, in addition to the three traillayers, about sis miles being covered in 45i minutes. The course included road country and swamp, many barbed wire fenches having to be negotiated. The run-in over about 440 yards resulted as follows: J. Silvester (Calliope), 1; T. Gadsell (T. 0.8.), 2; A. Rowland (Calliope), 3; J. Wengdal (Calliope), 1; T. M. Wilson (T. 0.8.), 5.