HARRIERS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 907, 29 August 1910, Page 7

HARRIERS.

COMBINED TEST RACE. ' One of the finest cross-country races yet held in Wellington took place on Saturday 'afternoon at Miramax, when tho Wellington and Brooklyn Harrier Clubs held a combined race lor tho purpose of choosing a team . to' represent, tho, local centre at tho New Zealand cross-country championship meeting to be heldatlnvercargill on September 7. Despite unfavourable weather; twenty men faced the starter (Mr. J. H. Pollock) to battle over the heavy 5-mile course. T. Barnes. (Brooklyn) was the first to show out, making the pace' very warm for the first halfmile, until he was displaced by C. Rowberry, who won the Wellington Harriers' championship last Saturday. At the gasometer (one and a quarter miles) the, order was Howberry, Hodson, Curry, and Murray, with the others well bunched close on their heels. The ensuing milo was left behind in quick time, the order remaining practically the same, but the heavy nature of tho ground when the golf links were passed caused many changes, especially between those in the rearguard, now quickly thinning out. A turn for home was now made, tho menhaving to battle in the'face of tho heavynortherly,- gale, and naturally the pace became a little slower. When the Seatoun Road was reached (about 3J miles) Rowberry was still in the lead, but was closely- followed by Hodson, Murray, Bennett, and Cum% Better ground having been reached, the leader set a very solid pace, which proved too fast for, those, in close attendance, and gradually drawing away he passed the tape a good 250 yards in front of C. Murray. (Brooklyn), who also ran splendidly, while F. Hodson finished 20' yards further back third. The>three next to finish wore W. Bennett (Wellington), R. Munro '(Brooklyn), and Curry (Wellington), bunched in that order. Tho time (28min. 4Gscc.) was very good considering the sodden nature of the ground traversed. An outstanding, feature of the race was the splendid jumping and leaping of the winner, who took most of the .fences'with almost ridiculous ease, especially one formidable obstacle, a largo post and rail gate, just after the commencement. At afternoon tea"" after the event ■ the selectors of the local representative team, Messrs. Pollock and Marryatt, announced .that their final selection wpuld be published on Wednesday. . Next Saturday afternoon teams picked by ..the captain .and vice-captain of, tho 'WellingtoniGlub twill try conclusions 'at Lyall Bay, the race starting at 3 p.m. The Brooklyn Club will hold their weekly run from the tea rooms at tho tram terminus, Miramar. •■•- The Brooklyn Club are holding a concert this evening at Fullford's Hall, Brooklyn, in aid of defraying tho travelling expenses of their club team to the inter-club event held in conjunction with the Now Zealand. . cross-country championship at Invercargill. --- I