CROSS-COUNTRY RUNNING

Press, Volume XCII, Issue 27735, 12 August 1955, Page 13

CROSS-COUNTRY RUNNING

N.Z. CHAMPIONSHIPS TOMORROW PROSPECTS DISCUSSED Nearly all the best distance runners in the country will be in Timaru this week-end for the New Zealand crosscountry running championships on Saturday. Canterbury was last host in 1948, when the Motuxarara course was used. This year, faced with the difficult task of organising the open Takahe-Akaroa relay race, the Canterbury Cross-Country Running Management Committee passed the championships over to the South Canterbury sub-centre which will be managing them for the first time since 1937, Many critics expect the senior race to develop into a duel between the Auckland champion Murray Halberg (Owairaka club) and P. Sidon (Caversham, Otago). The hilly nature of the specially selected course at Rosewill could prove disconcerting to a long strider like Sidon. Much will depend on conditions on the day; Possibly there have never been so many topclass athletes in a provincial harrier team as there are in this year’s Auckland team. It contains all the reigning track champions from the 880 yards to the three miles. In addition t although not selected for his province, the national six miles record holder, L. A. King, has exercised his right as present champion to defend his title. Masterton Runner Wellington will be headed by G. Holmes of Masterton. Although it is difficult .to make comparisons over cross-country courses, something of Holmes’s ability is shown by his time in the Wellington championship, where he ran-2min 9sec faster than Halberg did two years ago for his national title and 43sec faster than Noel Taylor’s winning time last year. Nor is the Canterbury champion, C. F. Reece (Olympic), to be discounted as a major place getter. Reece has competed in previous championships without distinction, but he is now a 'vastly improved runner. With his dogged determination the leaders will find him a difficult man to throw off. B. Dingwall (Baptist) is another Canterbury man with considerable championsnip experience. Others of the team are—P. R. May, A. W. Richards, the marathon record holder, C. Dillimore and R. J. Stevens. Unfortunate with injuries throughout the season, Kerry Williams, although only third to Sidon at the Otago titles,, is one who cannot be passed over in the quest for individual honours. The teams championship has all the . prospects of being even .more interesting than last year when Otago wqn by one point from Auckland. Wellington, which appear stronger than last year, may well complicate the issue. The eight centre districts will be reS resented by six-man teams in both le senior and junior , (under 19) grades. Each centre is also permitted to nominate two individuals, who do not' count for points. These act as emergencies should the need arise.

Junior Form Junior form is not so predictable, but with last year’s winner B. Stanniford (Otago) and the. runner-up B. Everitt (Wellington) both on the scene again, there is every chance of a good tussle. Another who must rate highly is the Canterbury champion C. Wiseman (Christchurch). Wiseman has finished first in all his races this season. After the comparatively easy courses used for the championships since their reinstatement after the war, the toughness of Rosewill will surprise many of the contestants. Some observers expect major upsets because of this. Those likely to be most affected are Canterbury’s own runners, for although the national courses may have been easy, Auckland, Wellington and Otago harriers are forced to do the bulk of their trailing over hill country. Christchurch athletes are not so fortunate and it is hardly likely that their prior experience of the course will offset this. Specially selected for Saturday's races the course is a stiff test. It is all true cross-country, over undulating hill country, with about three-quarters of a mile of flat and something like 14 obstacles in the three and one-eighth mile circuit. Seniprs will run two laps arid juniors one.