New Grading System For Takahe-Akaroa Relay

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30388, 12 March 1964, Page 17

New Grading System For Takahe-Akaroa Relay

A new system of grading has been introduced for the annual Takahe-Akaroa road relay race. Teem® will be graded after the race by comparing their times with sealed times fixed before the race to define the grades. This was approved at the annual meeting of delegates to the Canterbury CrossCountry Running Management Committee. The example given to the meeting suggested all teams faster than 4hr 25min would be A grade and those faster than 4hr 45m in B grade: other teams would be C grade. The grading times will be varied each year, according to the assessed standard of entries and also to prevent teams from holding back in an attempt to win a lower grade. Purpose Of Grading University strongly opposed remit, said Mr J. Blakeley. Grading was to ensure competition between teams of an even standard. Under the proposed system two teams could battle together all the way, with only seconds between them at the finish. Yet one could be last in the A grade and the other first in the B grade. The committee had been “hacking” around with the grades in an attempt to get the perfect solution, said Mr G. E. Vallen. There was no use pandering to the weaker clubs. The only satisfactory solution was to go back to the system of clubs entering an A team before a B and so on. An alternative was to do away with grading altogether. The need for grading times to be strictly confidential was referred to by Mr K. S. Jameson. A leakage of the times might result in some teams running below their capabilities to win a Lower grade.

Remit Lapses A move to limit the number of inter-club races lapsed as delegates from the club submitting the remit were not present In spite of the' fact that It was claimed that back markers in the Kaiapoi-Christ-church race would have had to break the world record to win the event in recent years a move by Marist to limit the handicap to a maximum of 20 minutes was lost. To facilitate the work of the incoming committee future annual meetings will be held between November 15-30 instead of in March. New Grade Races will be provided for an additional under-age group this season. On the motion of Mr North (South Canterbury) it was decided to split the colts (under 16) grade to provide an under 14 division. The desirability of closer policing of races to prevent pacing of competitors by runners not entered was raised by Mr K. S. Jameson. The chairman (Mr G. Farmer) suggested the possibility of having more stewards around courses. Other speakers referred to the rules governing protests. The matter was allowed to lapse

with delegates being asked to take the matter back to clubs for discussion. A loss of £77 was made on the year's working according to the financial statement. The finances are expected to improve this year as no travelling expenses will be involved with the championships being held in Canterbury. Officers Officers elected:

Chairman. Mr G. Farmer, secretary, Mr C. Buckley: treasurer, Mr F. Stevens; assistant secretary. Mr J. Smart: committee, Mrs R. Overend. Messrs C. C. Gordon. A. Candy. G. Hedges. H. Vodder, B, Rich; publicity officer. Mr B. Rich: selectors. Messrs A. W. Richards. M. R. Craighead: handicapper. Mr S. L. Jelley; log book officer. Mr H. Vadder; equipment officer, Mrs I. Overend; auditor. Mr J. I Young.