Unusual Foot Race Run In Rawhiti Domain

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29724, 18 January 1962, Page 12

Unusual Foot Race Run In Rawhiti Domain

Anyone strolling in the Rawhiti Domain early yesterday morning would have seen a New Brighton Justice of the Peace carefully measuring out a track for the most unusual race run in Canterbury for a long time/ While Mr J. C. Walsh. J.P., was marking out the 59yd track, other were making a 6.30 a.m. call on Mr J. V. McCormack, licensee of the New Brighton Hotel. Mr McCormack had been expecting a call to the starting line, but not so early in the day. He was taken to the domain in some secrecy to find the two main contestants. Mr G. Davis and Mr W P. McHugh, waiting with the official starter (Mr D. Bodger) and the other officials— Mr H. York. Mr N. Brockett, and Mr R. Goodland.

With everyone set and the handful of spectators arranged at vantage points. Mr

McCormack hefted, his 15 stone on to Mr Davis’s shoulders, and the two contestants toed the line. The contest, on which a 10s wager depended, was to determine whether Mr Davis could reach of 25yd mark with Mr McCormack on his shoulders before Mr McHugh could sprint alone to the 50yd mark.

“We won it by 3ft," said Mr McCormack. "We had one false start when McHugh broke, and then we got away properly. Davis had me across his shoulders like a sack of wheat. I don't know what I get for the winning ride, but Davis gets the 10s All bets are being settled today.” The unusual race created a great deal of interest, not only in New Brighton, for Mr McCormack had telephone calls from persons in the country before the race. Many persons scoffed at Mr Davis's claim that he could carry a 15-stone man—as well as his own 18 stone—25yds before Mr McHugh could run 50yds. They paid up yesterday. Mr Davis is president of the New Brighton Bowling Club, and Mr McHugh is a former New Zealand Services and Canterbury representative footballer. Mr McHugh has also been a successful athlete. Both men are now middl,e-aged.