CROSS-COUNTRY RUNNING

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21148, 26 April 1934, Page 16

CROSS-COUNTRY RUNNING

IMPROVEMENT OF RACING CONDITIONS EXCLUSION 7 OF JUNIORS FROM OPEN COMPETITION [By WHIPPEK-I.N'.J It was generally agreed when the season began that the clubs and the sub-committee were going to do everything in their power to raise the standard of cross-country racing in Canterbury during 1934. To do this, the obvious course was to investigate the existing conditions "under which Canterbury runners train and compete, and to make improvements wherever necessary. It was obvious that something was decidedly wrong with the existing conditions. When the clubs consider the actions of the sub-committee they should do so in the light of these facts. The committee at its meeting on Tuesday made several decisions which had the definite object of improving racing conditions; for instance, after a good deal of discussion, and after some delegates had declined to vote, it was decided to exclude nuiners under 19 years of age from the championship. There was a notice of motion to rescind this decision, but it must be realised that the one or two runners affected by the ruling cannot expect to have their personal interests placed before those of the large majority. The same condition applies to several of the decisions made by the committee. Juniors in Competition It has been demonstrated forcibly here in Christ church, as well as in other parts of the world, that an overwhelming majority of juniors do themselves a great deal of harm by entering into training and racing for open championships. There are too many examples to name of young cross-country runners "burnt out" while they were, still juniors; and there are correspondingly few who raced in open competition under the age of in and met with the success they were expected to have in later years. The "burning om" of juniors and. novices early in their careers can be considered one of the; chief causes of Canterbury's failure in. the past. Far too many juniors appearing each year have not fulfilled their early promise. It is therefore to be hoped that the sub-committee wilt continue to maintain a consistent policy of keeping juniors to a competition of their own. Some juniors and their clubs may object and see no reason for this, but "they will have to bow to the better experience of members of the subcommittee, whose whole object is to protect the interests of the runners. This policy of restricting juniors must be adopted not only by the committee, but by all the clubs, if Canterbury is to achieve its object of raising its racing standard. Programme Arranged With the announcement of the draw for the jntcr-club competition and the fixing of the date for the Halswell race (printed in another column) it is possible to set down the definite programme for the remainder of the season. The list is as follows (club runs being held as usual on inter-club dates);— April 28, May 5, May 12—Club runs. May 10 —Inter-club competition. May 2G —Club runs and trials for the Kennett Cup. June 2—Kennett Cup steeplechase, at Riccarton racecourse (to be confirmed). June 9—lnter-club competition. June IG—Club runs. June 23—Inter-club competition. June 30 —Club runs. July 7 —Halswell race. July 14 —Inter-club competition. July 21—Inter-club competition. July 28 and August 4—Club runs and club championships. August 11 —Canterbury open and junior championships, at Cashmere (to be confirmed). August. 10—-Club rims. August 25—New Zealand championships, at Dunedin; club runs. September 1 or B—New8 —New Zealand University cross-country championships, at Wellington (date to be fixed). September 1, 8, and 15 —Club runs. The object when this programme was drawn up was to provide plenty of racing during the few weeks before the championships, after having left the first six weeks to club runs. The programme provides for the gradual working up of the racing packs to a reasonable standard of fitness and speed, until by July 14 they will be well prepared for racing every week. General Notes The decision to alter the distance of the Canterbury championship course from 6,i miles to 10,000 metres, means an extension of about 200 yards. The race this year will start from below the wind-mill, on the old gorse road, unless the two-lap system is introduced. The object of the extension is to bring the course up to the standard championship distance. The object of the limitation of the number of teams from each club to two, for the Canterbury championship, is to avoid the crowding at fences, especially in the early stages of the race. It is possible that a separate race will be provided for those not competing in either of the championship events. The suggestion that the championship course should be a two-lap one has some points in its favour, but there are more against it. A crosscountry race is essentially an out and home race, and if the course were cut into two laps of three miles the championships would become too much like a track event. Runners would drop out passing the starting point at the end of the first lap, and a lot of the interest in the race would be lost. It is easier for spectators to follow the present course than it would be for them to follow a twolap one. If something spectacular is wanted, it would be far better to run a relay from some such place as Springfield, Hciorata, or Rangiora; but "stunt" events to attract attention are not necessary. To adhere to its present policy of keening juniors apart from senior runners, the sub-committee has suggested to the Halswell Club that a junior race be run at Halswell on the same day as the open one already arranged. If this is done no junior will be allowed to compete in the open event. The handicapping of runners at inter-club fixtures was suggested at the sub-committee's meeting on Tuesday. If this can be done without introducing any cumbersome regulations it would be a considerable improvement. Something more will be said about the proposal next week. The clubs might consider the suggestion that three handicappers be appointed by the sub-committee, one to attend each fixture on the interclub Saturdays, and to handicap the runners When they are lined up for the race. Club Notes The Christchurch Club's junior championship, to be held on Saturday, is very open. R. Rogers, the Canterbury junior champion, will not compete. Runners Who are likely to be among the first four home are A. Novis and S. A. Smith. There are several other promising juniors who may create surprises. A moderately difficult trail provided the Presbyterian racing pack with plenty of hard training last Saturday. Only the fittest' men could keep the pace set by N. C. Trembath. M. R. Robinson went well to finish first equal. He has decided after consideration to take up competitive running again this season, and with him

in the team the club will have a strong combination representing it at the inter-club fixtures. Trembath, who finished with Robinson, was in fine form. Novice members are reminded of their race to be held on May 5. Although the University Club has lost two members of its 1933 team, W. E. Parrott and L. S. Eambery, it will be able to field a fairly strong four again this year. The team will most likely be A. P. Thomson, L. D. Smith, W. W. O. Hurslhouse, and R. H. Anderson, all of whom did well in open competition last year. The Christchurch Club will probably have among its first team this year, G. H. Watson, D. H. Pannell, L. C. Richards, and H. S. Bowden. The club may allow R. Rogers, who is still a junior, to run in the interclub events. W. L. Sargison, the Canterbury mile representative, has turned out with the club, and if he takes up competitive racing he will be a great asset to the club. T. Bartlett, another successful distance track runner has also joined the Christctiurch Club. Huns for Saturday Cross-country fixtures for Saturday are as follows: Anglican: From the residence of Mr L. F. de Berry, 456 Manchester street north. Christchurch: Junior championship and club run from the United Tennis Club's pavilion, North Hagley Park. Baptist: From the residence of Mr and Mrs E. S. G. Harrison, 17 Norman's road. Methodist: Novice race and club run from the residence of Mr J. E. Purchase, 36 Leinster road. University: From the residence of Professor E. Percival, 7 Westenra terrace, Cashmere. Presbyterian: From the Spreydon Presbyterian Church, Barrington street. Technical: Official opening run from the Ensor's road pavilion. PROGRAMME FOR THE SEASON MEETING OF SUB-COMMITTEE Dates for inter-club fixtures and for other events during the 3934 crosscountry season were considered by the Harrier Sub-Committee of the Canterbury Amateur Athletic Centre at a meeting on Tuesday evening. Dr. A. L. Haslam presided. The distance for the Canterbury championship at Cashmere was altered from six and a quarter miles to 10,000 metres, and the holding of a teams championship for teams of not more than six runners, with four to count for points, was approved. The number of teams from each club was restricted to two. Mr S. T. Barnett moved that there be no minimum age restriction for the Canterbury championship. He considered that a runner should be free to enter the championship if he wished. Age Restriction Defended Dr. Haslam said that the sub-com-mittee in introducing the age restriction last year had done so because it was considered inadvisable for juniors to race in open competition. He believed the same restriction was made in Great Britain. After a long discussion the motion was lost by a narrow margin, some delegates not voting. Mr Barnett then gave notice of motion to rescind the decision. A suggestion was made that the course for the championship should be over two laps instead of one. Mr Barnett's offer to investigate the possibility of making an alteration, and to draw up a plan of a proposed two-lap course was accepted. Messrs Barnett and B. A. Barrer (Christchurch) were appointed to investigate and report on a proposal to hold a plate handicap on the day of the championships, for runners not competing in the championship events. Junior Championship The distance for the Canterbury junior championship was altered from three and a half miles to five, and the arrangement of the course left to Messrs Barnett and Barrer. A teams race in conjunction with the junior championship, for teams of four with three counting for points, was ap-

proved, and sealed handicaps for teams in both open and junior events were provided for. The Halswell Amateur Athletic and Cycling Club wrote asking for permission to conduct a race on July 7 similar to the one held at Halswell last year. Permission was granted, and it was decided to ask the club whether it would be agreeable to holding a race for juniors on the same day. A teams event and handicap within the open race, with a limit of six men to each team, and four to count, was approved The committee adopted a proposal' made by the secretary, Mr J. Mclndoe, for a points competition covering teams races in the Kennett Cup, Halswell race, inter-club competition, and Canterbury championships. Inter-Club Fixtures The programme for the inter-club competition, in which teams will be of no more than six runners, with four to count for points, was drawn up as follows (the club mentioned first in each fixture acting as host) : May 19—Christchurch v. Presbyterian; Anglican v. University; Methodist v. Baptist. June 9—Baptist v. Anglican; Methodist v. Christchurch; University v. Presbyterian. June 23—University v. Methodist; Baptist v. Christchurch; Presbyterian v. Anglican. July 14—Christchurch v. Anglican; Baptist v. University; Methodist v. Presbyterian. July 21—University v. Christchurch; Anglican v. Methodist; Presbyterian V. Baptist.