HARRIER RELAY

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32703, 4 September 1971, Page 19

HARRIER RELAY

Canterbury University today will be among seveeral top South Island and Wellington harrier clubs to contest the 35.3 - mile Motueka-to-Nelson relay, which has grown immensely in popularity since three teams raced in the first event in 1955. The race will provide a three-quarter strength University team and Greymouth with a valuable “shakedown” run in preparation for the Takahe to Akaroa relay, limited to Canterbury clubs, on the following Saturday. The Nelson event will capture additional glamour this year with several teams listing international and national class runners. After its impressive win in the Wellington to Masterton relay last week, Wellington is the favourite to win again. The star runners in a strong Wellington line-up are the internationals B. Rose and B. Everitt.

The outstanding men in the Nelson seven-man team are the national champion, R. P. Dixon, and his brother, John. The Kapiti (Wellington) team has been built around the international, G. Thorley, the present Belgium champion. The strong men of the Greymouth team are E. M. Gray, third in the world' harrier championships, and D. C. McKenzie, the international marathon runner. One of the severest blows for University is the nonavailability of M. Everton, because of a foot injury. Fourth in the Canterbup' championships, Everton will miss the Akaroa relay also. University will have five of its eight men for the Akaroa relay competing tomorrow. The team is K. O’Sullivan, N. Cleveland, P. Hesp (a leading junior), M. Collie, R. D. Robinson, M. Johnstone (another promising junior, formerly a Wellington representative), and O. Hesp (second in the Canterbury colts’ under 17 championship).