ATHLETICS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 858, 2 July 1910, Page 12

ATHLETICS.

• $ — ■. TWENTY-FOUR HOURS' BEST WALK. OPINION OF MR. T. W. LESLIE. (Bs Meecubt.) Wellington Harriers. The usual harrier budget is received with thaflks from tho usual source, and runs as follows-.— Wellington Harriers held a- run. on Saturday last from Brooklyn, when s trail laid by F. Tinney and F. Wilton was followed. From Fullford's Hall a courso was shaped up tho Sugar Loaf Hill and beyond to the heights overlooking the watershed of the Karon reservoir, then past the new dam to tho old golf links, whence the return journey was commenced. This was made through the reservoir reserve and along the main ridge leading back to Brooklyn, which was struck at a point near Fitchett's farm. The going was of too varied a nature to permit of much prolonged running, the- long grass and fern' -coupled with tho hilly nature of parts of the course preventing any sustained fast work. The afternoon was full of incident for the runners, who found it difficult to keep their foet in places except by the exercise of continued vigilance in negotiating what was on the whole a treacherous course. However, a low minor tumbles which left no bruises were the worst of the day's happenings, and, when the pack was bunched before being sent away for the final spurt, each man was capable of doing his best to reach homo first. An excifin?. struggle ended in a

dead-heat between the l'almer Cup heroes (C. liowberry and C. Lamberg) for first place, with L. Johnson immediately behind. A surprise invitation to tea from Mr. A. H. Fullford was extended to runners on their return from the run. As a result an enjoyable hour was spent by the pack, who were also musically entertained.. This run was the last one on the old syllabus, and to-day when the second syllabus commences Kami will bo the place of assembly. An Interesting Idea. Next Saturday the run-will have an international aspect, as n team of Britons is lo bo sorted out to do battle against a representative set of* New Zealanders over a five mile courso from Worser Bay. As the best men of .each nation are in good form an interesting race is expected. Arrangements for the club's annual dance next Friday at St. Peter's Hall are in the hands of a. strong committee, which is leaving no stone unturned to ensure the success of the function. Brooklyn Club. Brooklyn Harriers held a pack run from Thorndon Baths, no hares being sent out. The course was the time-hon-oured one slightly lengthened, the ground covered being that through Wadestown and the northern suburbs as far as Johnsonville, the return being made down the gorge to Ngahauranga and along the Hutt Road.' When the Thorndon Esplanade was readied a halt was called, while handicaps were adjusted for the. run-in, which took place in the darkness of an early closing midwinter day. E. Shaw reached tlie finishing post first, with L. Barnes and P. Delaney filling the places. A vain attempt to sort out their own garments'by the runners after returning to tho baths was ended by the appearance of tho custodian—Mr. J. Calnan—with a welcome lantern, which was of material assistance in the matter of the discovery of the elusive stud and other essential trifles of conventional garb. To-day a run be held from Worspr Bay. The club's next race will bo a steeplechase handicap, on the old Hutt Racecourse. At last a Harrier Club has been formed in Christchurch. Wellington cross-coun-try men will wish the newcomer every success, and hope that it is to be but the first of many similar institutions in Christchurch. That Twenty-four Hours' Walk. Mr. T.-'W. ("Dorie") Leslie enters tho "twenty-four hours' best walk" argument He disagrees with Mr. Nicholas, last week's correspondent, and states that, in. 1892, in the Brill Shed in AVcllington, F. Bowen, the Christchurch pedestrian, covered 119 miles in twenty-four hours Mr. Leslie says he paced Bowen for t.ho last two hours, during which time he put 14 miles behind him. Ho further states that in his opinion Bowen was ono of tho best walkers from 1 to 50 miles that the world has seen,. and one of tho riiost correct. In support of this, ho quotes a mile walk of Bowen's in Gmin. 33sec., and a two-mile performance in 13min. 39sec, both in Sydney audi in his presence, and an eight-hour performance of over 50 miles. Mr. Leslie promises to ascertain and furnish chapter and verse of these doings for next week.