Harrier Title Is Wide Open

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30513, 7 August 1964, Page 15

Harrier Title Is Wide Open

Winning a national senior cross-country running title is probably the toughest and most competitive assignment of New Zealand distance racing. This year’s championships at Ashley, near Rangiora, tomorrow, will be

no exception. The newly-planned course on undulating country on the property of Mr H. L. Spark,

opposite the gates of Ashley state forest, is regarded as the best and most exacting the province has yet had. Although most of the Auckland Tokyo representatives have withdrawn to concentrate on their Olympic preparation, competition will be as intense as ever.

The leading Canterbury contender will be A. G. Pyne. After world-class times on the track during the summer Pyne showed superb fitness in the Canterbury harrier championship when he easily outclassed the field.

Against Pyne will be men iof mature experience in , two former champions—P. N. ; Sidon (Otago), the most con- • sistent performer in national • harrier championships for • many years, and K. E. Wil- ■ liams (Wellington). Both

Williams and Sidon were members of the New Zealand harrier team in 1957. Other strong claimants for

the title, and the chance to represent New Zealand at the international championships at Belgium in March, include the Olympic miler, J. L. Davies (Waikato), a former national steeplechase champion, N. Wyatt, the current New Zealand steeplechase champion, R. P. Welsh

(Otago), who is also the universities harrier champion, B. Rose (West Coast, North Island), and two other Wellington men, G. Wheeler, the provincial champion, and B. Everett. There will also be a tight

contest for the inter-provin-cial teams’ title. Auckland and Otago have long lists of wins and may well fight out the honours again this year. However, Wellington has a team capable of complicating the issue.

Waikato should be given a good start by Davies and Wyatt and Canterbury by Pyne, but other members of these teams will have to run better than they have at previous championships to boost their centres’ chances of a win.

Julian Not Running

(N.Z. Press Association)

AUCKLAND, August 6. The New Zealand international runner, J. L. Julian, has pulled a muscle and will not take part in the national cross-country championships in Christchurch on Saturday.