Six-man harriers relay

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32588, 23 April 1971, Page 22

Six-man harriers relay

Records might well be broken when the interclub harrier season opens on Saturday with the University club’s sixman relay around Hagley Park South. Last year’s winner, University, will be hard, pressed to retain the Hagley Memorial Baton.

Although University has a team at least comparable in ability with that of last year, the opposition looks much stronger this time. A particularly strong challenge is expected from the Otago University team, which includes several provincial representatives on the track and across country. Olympic (Christchurch), and New Brighton are likely contenders from among the local clubs.

Such is the over-all strength of these teams that, given good conditions, they should be able to push each other close to the 1969 record of 69min 6sec for the 13J miles set by Olympic.

The calibre of several of the runners indicates also a good chance of a new individual lap record being set. A former national three miles champion, B. R. E. Jones (University), set a record of llmin for the two miles and a quarter circuit several years ago. First lap The first lap should provide a torrid match, with several teams having outstanding men in this, with the hope of going for a break. Otago University has T. Sutherland, who ran a 4min o.7sec mile earlier this year; Olympic has J. Sheddan, who

represented New Zealand in the international crosscountry running championships in Spain less than two months ago; University has R. D. Robinson, the former England international; New Brighton has R. Sharpe, who delights in trying to break up the field; and St Martins has S. McLean. A welcome addition to the field is R. Harding, who will make his return to competition for Cashmere on the third lap after a lengthy spell from competition. Two important gains for University are R. Jackson, from New Plymouth, and a prominent junior, M. Anderson, who has transferred from Toe H.

The entry of 28 teams is one of the largest of the series, being one more than for last year and five up on 1969.

As well, a field of nearly 40 has entered for the colts* (under 16) scratch race, which will be held over one lap before the start of the senior event. Running order The running order of some of the leading relay teams is:— Olympic: J. Sheddan, R. Yardley, D. J. Reece, J. K. Macdonald, J. D. Macdonald, N. Reid. Otago University: T. Sutherland, L. Dey, B. Beath, S. Melville, A. Stewart, K. Darling. Christchurch: D. Green, M. Lang, B. Crocker, V. Sykes, G. Donaldson, W. K. Kennedy. New Brighton: R. Sharpe, G. Rollo, A. Gilmour, T. Ellis, R. Hubert, M. Radcliffe. University: R. D. Robinson, N. Cleveland, B. Taylor, M. Anderson, R. Jackson, K. O’Sullivan.