ATHLETICS.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 19853, 14 February 1930, Page 10

ATHLETICS.

VISITING RUNNERS. lermond and golding arrive An enviable athletic record over the last four years belongs to Leo Lermond, foremost distance runner in America to-day; and a meteoric rise to fame as a brilliant quartermiler has been the experience of George Golding, the Australian runner. These two athletes are now in Christchurch, where they arrived yesterday morning iu company with J. W. Savidan, New land's distance champion, and hope to lead the Dominion's best men round the English Park running track. (folding's chief worry just now is J. T. Fleming whom ho will compete against tomorrow evening. "Fleming is a fine runner " the Australian said _ yesterday to a Press reporter, "and was in splendid form last Saturday when he beat me off the five vards mark, but I hope to be the winner in a scratch event." Golding would have rather liked to have had a practice run on tlio archery lawn at the Botanic Gardenß when he spoke, for he and Lermond were admiring the lawns and trees of the gardens during a brisk walk there in the morning. "I hope to be at the top of my form in less than a fortnight," he said, "and so long as I can break 50sec for the quarter on Saturday I shall be satisfied." A typical Australian, tall and solidly built, Golding has all the attributes of a runner. This season has been his first of serious training, although he hfts had previous success as junior Australian champion on two occasions over 100 yds, 220 yds, and 440 yds. He started running in 1924, and until this year participated in a variety of events, reaching a high standard in each. Ho has returned 10 l-ssec for the 100 yds, 22sec for the 220 yds, 48 3-10 sec for the 440 yds, Imm 56sec for the 880 yds, 16sec for the 120 yds hurdles, sft lOlin for the high jump, and 44ft 10in for the hop, step, and jump—a list of performances of which any retired champion might be proud. He wishes to go further than that, and now that he has decided to specialise in the quarter, has set himself the ambition of "having a go at the record" at the Olympic Games in 1932. New Zealand tracks have so far impressed Golding by their hardness, the Basin Reserve at Wellington being as fast as anything in Australia, although he did not relish the hard surfaco. After Saturday's race he would have liked to have had another run against Dr. Peltzer, but no chance had offered. Referring to athletics in Australia, Golding said that the prospectß for the next Games were bright. "Theje are at least four men who can do under 49sec for 440 yds, and athletics are booming. J. Carlton is a wonder, and he had bad luck in not being allowed his record of 9 3-ssec which he returned for the hundred at Melbourne. Australia is just beginning to realise that it pays to bring over such men as Peltzer and Lermond, and the sport is on the up grade." Leo Lermond took up running for three main reasons. He wished to go to the Olympic Games, to travel and see the world, and to be a national champion. These three ambitions have been achieved, and Lermond is considering retiring at the end of the year unless some unforeseen event turns up. The American champion has had notable victories over P. Nurmi, H. Larva, T. Loukaln, and others during his running career, his best time for the mile being 4min 13sec, at the Yankee Stadium last June. "The Finns are terribly hard to beat," he said, "for they set off at a smart pace and increase the speed all the way, leaving a man with a finishing sprint small chance of holding to them." ' During the past four years Lermona nas travelled in practically every European country, and has run almost continuously all the time. Short spells of a month or so have prevented staleness from setting in. He was immensely pleased with the cinder track at English Park, which he declared was the equal of any he had seen since he left America. "The grass tracks have been a nuisance," he said, "and circular courses make it very difficult to pass an opponent as one can in a long straight. It will be a treat to run on cinders again." Welcome Gathering. At the Pioneer Sports Club's rooms yesterdaw afternoon,, tho Canterbury Amateur Athletic Centre held a welcome gathering for the visitors, when a toast list was honoured and welcomes extended the athletes by representatives of the various Christchurch sports bodies. Mr-R. Bcattie, president of the Centre, was in the chair, and a large number of sportsmen were present.

THE LERMOND-GOLDING MEETING. ENGLISH PARK, TO-MORROW. Leo Xiormoad, the famous American miler, will make hie first appearance -on New Zealand tracks at the English Park Stadium to-morrow evening and will pe opposed to Savidan, the New Zealand champibn, and Barnes, the local steeplechaso crack. Patrons may expect a wonderful race, for all three have brilliant performances over the mile to their credit. _ In Australia Lermond ran three-quarters of a mile in 3min 10 2-ssec, -which is good going. He holde the American record at Imin 13sec, and has run the half-mile in 53seo. Be is undoubtedly the most able miler in the world to-day. Overshadowed by the mile race, but of great importance, will be the quarter-mile test in whioh Golding, the phenomenal Australian star, who has risen to fame almost over-night, will appear. . He has thuee times witbin a short period run the distance in under 49sec. He will be pitted against Fleming, of Wellington, aad Nicoll, of Christchurch. Fleming defeated him in BO l-sseo at Wellington on Saturday, off five yards, so their meeting to-morrow evening should produce an extremely oloae finish. The sprint evonts have drawn a fine crowd of runners. Leadbetter is on scratoh in the •100, and is giving away short starts to Jenkins, of Wellington, Cordery, Murphy, and Fleming. Leadbetter will also make an attempt to lower the 120 yards record at present held by E. W. Carr, of New South Walee. The quartor-mile handicap will see seasoned performers in Harley, Blackmore, Bishop, and Bullivant go to the start. The ladles' 100 yards scratch race has attracted the best of our lady runners in Misses Martyn, Boyd, Callinan, McKenzie, and Hay. . At no previous time in the history of amateur cycling in New Zealand has any oentre possessed so many brilliant cyclists as Canterbury does at the . present time. The various cycling events to-morrow night have drawn vory large fields and should provide great racing. , Taken all reund, this should be one of the very beat meetings ever held in the province as athletes aTe on a higher plane than ever before.

TO-MORROW'S MEETING. Following are the handicaps for the athletic events to be held at English Park to100yds Open Handicap—First heat: M. Leadbetter scr, J. T. Fleming (Wellington) 2yds, M. Blackmore 81yds, P. Ensor 41yds, R. Flewellyn 71yds, J. Dickinson 9yds, J. Varcoe 11yds, E. R. Simpson 81yds. Second heat: O. Jenkins (Wellington) Iyd, A. B. Clßrk 3yds, G. Murray 31yds, J. Gas soy 41yds, C. W. Murray Byds, J. Welsh 9yds, 0. D. Burn 101 yds. Third heat: R. Cordery lvd, J. F. Bamford Syds, J. J. Brownlee 4yds, A. Bullivant 6yds, K. S. Mortlock Syds, R. Shearman 91yds, J. Morgan 11yds. Fourth heat: J. H. Murphy Iyd, T. S. Simpson Byds, C. V. Atyeo 4yds, S. H. Truman 6yds, H. C. Williams Byds, R. Carmichael 81yds, J. Boniface 11yds, W. Cox ——. Fifth heat: H. Cox 11yds, H. Robinson 31yds, G. Hart 41yds, E. Rhind 7yds, R. L. Russell 81yds, 1, Radburnd 10yds, W. Corbett 11yds, H. g! Woller 6yds. 120 yds Open Handicap—First heat: M. Leadbetter scr, T. S. Simpson 31yds, C. V. Atyeo syds, G. Hart 51yds, H. C. Williams 10yds, C. D. Burn 121 yds. Second heat: J. H. Murphy 11yds, J. T. Fleming (Wellington) 21yds, M. A. Blackmore 4yds, S. H. Truman 7yds, J. Welsh 10yds, J. Varcoe 12yds. Third heat: C. Jenkins (Wellington) liyds, J. F. Bamford 3lyds, J. J. Brownlee syds, A. L. Tideman 7yds, R. 'Shearman lnJvds, W. Corbett 12yds. Fourth heat: R. Cordery 11yds, A. B. Clark 31yds, P. Ensor 51yds, J- Robinson 81yds, R- Carmichael 101 yds, J- Boniface 12yds. Fifth heat: H. Cox 2yds, G. Murray 4yds, J. Gasson 51yds, K S. Mortlock 10yds, E.. R. Simpson 101 yds, L. Radburnd 12yds, J. Morgan 12yds. '3ooyds A Grade Handicap—G. A. Goldmg (Australia) scr, M. Leadbetter scr, J. T. ■pipmine (Wellington) scr, C. Jenkins (Wellington) 3yds, R. Cordery 3yds, M. A. Blackmore syds, H. Cox Syds, H. Robinson 9yds, T) W. gishop 11yds, G. Nicoll 14yds. SOOvds B Grade Handicap—First heat: J. A Gasson 14yds, R. Poff 15yds. R. Flewellyn Ifivds J. J Devonport 18yds, N. J. Suckling Wlvds' H. O. Williams 21yds, F. Wayman 25vd«' G. d'Auvergne 27yds, G. H. Nicoll lOvds! Second heat: H. G. Wooller 9yds, S. rr Truman 13yds, K. Nicoll 18yds, R. u' wo rth 18vds, P. E. Pentecost 20yds, L. G Willis 22yds, J. J. Price 27yds, C. D. B 44ov<^ y< A' Grade Handicap—O. C. Harley ivds M A. Blackmore Syds, D. W. Bishop Kvds' A Bullivant Byda, N. J. Suckling Hh-ds K. Nicoll 13yds, D. W. Bain 13yds, B TT Neville 15yds. R. Poff 15yds. .uiWds B Grade Handicap—S. H. Truman latds E. Hhind 20yds, H. Haworth 20yds, T Ct' Willis 20yds,, R. J - Hyde 25yds, G. S-iiTA: k lurn U 3syd«. S-'Wallace 35yds, R. Wright Open handicap— A. L. Tideman lS d M. D P H Cookers, N. J. Suck-

ling 20yds, D. W. Bain 25yds, K- Nicoll 30yds, L. E. Smith 30yds, K. Poff HOyde. IjG. Willis 35yds, D. K. Coleman 40y<*> "JHay 45yds, C. V. Smith. 45yds, A. H. Tozer 60yds, L. C. Richards 65yds, K. L. Henry 65yds, F. Wayman 70yds, C. S. Barrcll 70y , M. H. Mullany 70yds, H. Barnett; KA A. Sayers bOyda, R. Wright 90yds, G. Graham 90yd8, It I J ola6chek 110 yds. One Mile Open Handicap—M. D* j 50yds, W. Sargison 60yds, A. D. *" k C. C. Smith 95yds, D. Jarvis 95yds, J. 95yds, A. H. Tozer 120 yds, c - R,^!r 1 ® 130 yds, R. L. Henry 145 yds, C.. S.Barren 150 yds, F. Ratcliffe 160 yds, G. Graham 230 yds, L. Polaschek 250 yds, F.W. Kelly • 75yds Women's Handicap-First heat £• Martyn scr, H. Boyd 2yds, E. Hay 4iy<i>Boyd 64yds, M. Nelligan 61yds, Jones Bsyds. Second heat: E. Callin&n sy -Rovd McKenzie 4yds, G. Williams M , P- f oja 7yds, V. Hawtin 11yds, V. Wilkms nyds, D 'The n f?Uowing fields have been B « lect ' 6d for the ecratch races at the meeting: _ 440 yds Invitation Scratch f AiisFleming (Wellington), G. A. GoWing (Aus tralia), and G. h. Nicoll (Cftirterbury). One Milo Invitation Scratch mond (United States), J. W (Anck land), and J. G. Barneß (Canterbury). 100 yds Women's Scratch Bace for the Eugene Spitz Cup—E. Mftrtyn, II- y> Callinan, M. McKenzie, E. Hay, and V. Nicoll (Otago).

CYCLING AND ATHLETIC UNION. DELEGATES' MEETING. Last evening a meeting of the delegates to the North Canterbury Centre of theiSew Zealand Cycling, Athletic, and Union was held at the Chess Club rooms when the following delegates were present Messrs W. J. Walter (Mairehau), Chairman, G. Stuart (Goalgate), 'i'. i- • / Patrick's), R. J. McClelland (Southbridge), G. E. Fergus (Cust), G. Henderson poyleaton), P. C. Crook e> (Cbxifltohurch), G. D. Wheeler (Waihora), J. M. Coffey (St. Patrick's), and P. C. Lucas (Oxford), secretary. The proposed road race from Oamaru to Christchurch was discussed, the opinion being expressed that it would be advisable for tlie Centre to appoint a number of delegates to confer with the directors of the North Otago Caledonian Society in order that matters in connexion with the start could be arranged. It was decided that the matter should be left in the hands of the chairman and secretary. The New Zealand Athletic and Cycling Union wrote stating that they had allowed the record of lmin 63 2-sseo recently registered by J. D. Fitt (Australia) m a half-mile raoe at the English Park Stadium. The New Zealand Union forwarded a certificate regarding this performance and requested that it should be handed to Fitt. The Kowai Athletic Sports Club forwarded a- copy of the programme for its annual meeting on Easter Monday. The programme was approved. Mr P. C. Crooke stated that there was a movement on foot to eend D. Mcliennan and his trainer to Australia in order that he might compete in tho world's professional championship, which was to be held early in April. A fair number of donations had »!-' ready been promised, but, as at least £IOO was required to cover the expenses, the supporters of the movement had asked him to place the matter before the Centre. Considering his performances against Lynch Cooper and the fact that he was not really in the best condition at the time, it would appear that McLennan should have a really good chance of carrying off the honours in Australia. The chairman said that, although a rather ambitiou3 undertaking, it was one which had his full support. He moved that the Centre should give its' official recognition to the efforts to raise subscriptions and that the Centre should make » grant of £5 5s towards the funds. ' • This was put to the meeting and earned unanimously. . ■ Mr J. M. Coffey asked whether it would be possible to raise any further money by means of a sports meeting. _ ■ ■ • The honorary secrotary replied that, as the last meeting held by thev Centre had barely paid its way, it did not appear likely that any funds could be raised in this manner.

PIONEER SPORTS CARNIVAL ENGLISH PARK. MONDAY. As the date for holding the motor, athletic, and novelty carnival, to be conduoted by the Pioneer Sport* Club at English-Park on Monday evening next approaches, .interest in the competitions to be staged' byjthis old established body grows > apace. With suitable weather conditions there a record crowd present to enjoy the fcttaaotive programme of events to be unfurled, which are of a most cosmopolitan nature, comprising the Ancients, who will be racing on the old "penny-farthing" cycles, whilst the Moderns will Be represented in the light car speed competition in which Baby Austin will try hor mettle with Singer Junior. These youngsters will also measure stride* with two of our foremost sprinters '(Dr. J. 3. Brownlee and B. Cordery) over a burst of 160 yards from a standing start. Splendid entries have been received for the motor-cycle events, and something that will stir the blood should be witnessed. Exceptionally good entries have been received lor the athletio events, in which Canterbury's best sprinters will be seen. The Pioneer medley wheel nee has drawn forth » fine array of talent, including many champions of former days, and. the present time, and should prove deeidedly interesting. In the bicycle steeplechase there should be an exhibition that must provoke both wonder and admiration for the intrepid riders. The sport will start at 8 o'clock, ahd from that hour until 10, Mr C. S. Thomas, who will handle the gun. will be a very busy man. Mr W. G. Flewellyn, as chief marshal, can be depended upon to keep. things moving, and in .this he will have the assistance of anoffioient band of officials. The New Brighton Municipal Band will render a popular programme of music and a good and adequate . tram service will. be provided to cope with ' the big crowd expected.