ATHLETICS.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 19854, 15 February 1930, Page 6

ATHLETICS.

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

[By Relay.]

Christchurch is having a full share of athletic attractions this season, and has seen some of the very finest running by overseas athletes which could be desired. Most prominent of the visitors has been ur. Otto lcltzei. famous German iiali-mder, whose appearance here last .Monday was as sensational as it was unexpected, tor the opportunity of see.ng a holder ot world's records racing at Lancastei Park oame at the proverbial elevenin hour, and when tlie event actually took place, not even the most sanguine of local supporters expected to see the renowned champion beaten to the tape, even in a handicap race. Hut the unexpected happened, and Dr. Peltzer was, on the day, unable t - > concede '25 yards in a thousand to G. L. Nicoll, ex-Canterbury middle distance champion.

Description of the races in which Peltzer appeared has already been made, but there are lessons to be learned from his running which should not be lost sight of. The most obvious is the absolute necessity for running as close to the chalk line as possible all the way through a race. Only when he passed another competitor did Peltzer leave the line, and he was rigidly on to it again immediately afterwards. The mistake of veering out towards the centre of the trar>k cost A. Ilullivant the race in the quarter-mile handicap. Entering the straight, he and D. AV. Bishop seemed certain to gain the first two places, but they left the inside of the course and gave the doctor a chance of getting through, which he was quiok to seize on. In a flash lie produced a dazzling finish, and shot ahead in the last stride, leaving everyone amazed at the manner in which he converted apparent defeat into victory. BulJiv:)nt's costly exoerienec should stand him in good stead in the future

Another noticeable feature of Peltzer's running was the comparatively slow pace at which he ran the first part of his races, but it was observed that in the later stages he produced a finish which left hie opponents standing. Too many runners are prone to run "all out" in an endeavour to make up their handicap at the commencement of a race, and fade over the last part, to be passed by inferior men in the straight The German's method of racing showed which is the better, for although in the 1000 yards he did leave his effort too late, he mowed dowri the field'at a gre.it pace over the last furlong.

As to his method of training, it is doubtful if the best results would be achieved by many runners if they followed his principles absolutely. Peltzer goes on the track only two or three times a week, and favours rubbingdown as the most essential thing in maintaining fitness. Once a day is the slogan to which the majority of runners adhere in training operations, and it is to be feared that they would out on condition at a fast rate if they did much less. Of course, the doctor eats very little, which would counterbalance the small amount of work he does, and his theories at least have this much to support them—they have produced a world-beater over naif a mile. A trial seems a rather risky experiment, though.

A very favourable impression was created by Gerhard Emton, the 17-year-old compatriot of Dr. Peltzer, a quiet and unassuming lad from whom would not be expected the performance of putting the 161b shot over 34 feet. His style in this event, when he defeated A. E. Joseph and other local field events men, was perfect, his movements being easy and graceful, and productive of a high-class putt. Emton is preparing himself for pentathlon events and already has a creditable record. He was not brilliant in the. 100 yards scratch race, but again showed a graceful and easy style.

The sum of £75 was taken at the gates for the Peltzer meeting, so that the Canterbury Centre did very well, considering the short notice at which the meeting was arranged. It was fortunate for Christchurch that the doctor was keen to see a little of the South Island, as otherwise there would have been no appearance here. Criticism of his temperament is out of place, and those who were able to humour him and let his impulsiveness glance aside will agree that the visit was well worth while, and when everything is summed up, also most entertaining and amusing.

G. L. Nicoll'S run was one out of the box when his time for the 1000 yards, off a handicap of 25, was 2min 16sec. It is the best run Nicoll has done this season, the training he has put in during the past month rapidly bringing him back to the form he showed two seasons ago. Nicoll is keen to collect the Dominion half-mile title this year, and if he goes on as at present he should be quite capable of doing so.

The evening meeting on Tuesday was another sensational one, when for the first time for two seasons C.A.A.C. was beaten over a Bcratch relay of 880 yds, 440 yds, 220 yds, and 220 yds. 'Varsity, whose team has been consistently second to C.A.A.C., gained a decisive victory on this occasion, and, had its last man exerted himself, would have Won by nearly 20 yards. Every member of the 'Varsity team ran well, and the win was a well-merited one. 0. C. Harley ran 2min 3 4-ssec in the halfmile to lead N. J. Suckling by five yards, and L. G. Wooller gained another 10 on A. L. Tideman, who did not run 'up to his standard of last season. Wooller ran the quarter in 52 4-ssec, creating anxious thoughts, on his first appearance, in the minds Of prospective winners of the Canterbury 440 yds title. R. O. P. King held his lead from J. J. Brownlee, and M. Leadbettet cantered over the last furlong for 'Varsity. When the University men are nearing fitness in a couple of weeks' time they should cause a few upsets on March Ist. * *• *

Promise is not wanting for a most successful fixture this evening at English Park, when two races will be run which should, at the least, be as well worth seeing, as the races in which Dr. Peltzer appeared at the beginning of the week. Leo Lermond, American national mile champion, who has been resting for a week or so in preparation for the meeting, will meet J. W. Saridan, New Zealand mile champion, and J. G. Barnes, the Canterbury star, in a mile scratch run. It seems possible that in view of Savidan'a good performances in the last few weeks—ne has registered 4min 25sec and 4min v 26sec on two occasions

—and Barnes's 4min 26seo of three woeks ago, that an exceptionally fine race will take place, being reminiscent of the time when R; A. Row beat k. Hahn here three years ago. This frice will, however, be run on a cinder track, and it is not improbable that Rose's time of 4min 19sec on that occasion will be equalled. It will certainly hj« threatened.

G. A- Golding, holder of the Australian quarter-mile record of 48 3-10 sees, will run from scratch with J. T. Fleming, the Wellington man, And O. L. Nicoll, over the quarter distance. It will be remembered that last Saturday at the Basin Reserve, Fleminar held more than his handicap of five yards from the visitor in a splendid race. Golding is

confident of winning, and will endeavour to do so in a fast tiinn ■Jfr -St In addition to these invitation races, a number of athletic and cycling handicaps are to he decided, in which the handicapping ensures exciting finishes It is to he hoped that support will be forthcoming from the publ'c at this and later meetings at which the visitors will appear, for the running will hn r>f the highest class * * * The Wellington Centre is finding trouble over the same matter, which hindered the running of an English Park meeting three weeks ago. At the Peltzer gathering. far too many people were allowed to encroach indiscriminatelv on the oval, with the result that spectators were unable to Rain an nninterrunted view of the racing. The Canterbury Centre should be firm this evening, keep as many as possible right out of the oval, and exercise a strict control of those who must be th-ire. •X- * ■vfr It is reported that Miss Norma Wilson, who represented New Zealand at j the 1928 Olympic Games, has struck i form again. Ten days ago she was credited with 11 3-6 from scratch in a 100 yds event, and her supporters are confident that sho will regain her Dominion title, which was won last year bv Miss E. Martvn. Canterbury. ■}{• "5f * J. W. Savidan arrived from Auckland on Thursday in good trim. He looks very fit, and, although he has not had many starts this year, iB confident, on the cinder track at English Park, that he will do ronnd about 4min 20sec for his mile. J. T. Fleming and C. H. Jenkins, the Wellington stars, arrived yesterday morning. The inclusion of® Jenkins in the sprints will make M. Leadbetter and R. Cordery race their best to win, and a splendid finish should

be seen in the 300 yards handicap with Golding, Fleming, and, Leadbetter on scratch, and Jenkins and Cordery on 3 yards. , * * * Tho Papanui Sports Club will hold a meeting at their Domain on February 22nd, in the afternoon. A good programme has been drawn up, entries for which close to-day. FIXTURES. February 15th.—Lermond and Golding meeting, Park. February 17th.—Pioneer Sports Club meeting, English Park, 8 p.m. February 19th.—Lermond and Golding meeting, English Park. February 22nd.—Sports meeting, Papanui Domain, 2.80 p.m. February 26th. —Lermond and Golding meeting. English Park, 8 p.m. March Ist. —Canterbury Championships. March Bth. —St. Patrick's sports. March 14th and 15th. New Zealand Championships, at Wanganui. Entries Close. February lQth. —First Lermond and Golding meeting. ItVHruarv 15th. —Second LermondGolding meeting February 15th.—Papanui Sports "February 22nd.—St. Patrick's February 22nd.—Final, LermondG °FebruaTy e 22nd.-Canterbury Provinrinl Championships.