HARRIERS

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 193, 10 May 1924, Page 19

HARRIERS

TO-DAY’S EVENTS. Wellington Club, at Karori. Scottish Club, at Island Bay. Olympic Club, at Kelbum. Brooklyn Club, at Seatoun.

The season is now in full swing, and tha various clu'os are already “counting heads” and weighing , up their chances in open competitive events. From a review of club attendances so far this season, the harrier movement seems at least to be holding its own so far as numbers are concerned, the average having been kept up by the extra strength of the Hutt Valley and Wellington Clubs. It is too earl- to attempt any predictions a s to the relative chances of the clubs in district championships, but as the New Zealand championships will no doubt be held in Wellington this year- a comparison with last year’s Wellington provincial team will be interesting. No dou'ot R. Rose will be in action later m the season, whilst D. Todd and A. Barclav will also be available. G. Dorno will bo with the Hutt Valley again, so that the notable absentees will be A. Page and T. Wilson. However, Wellington has been so far in advance of other centres in the harrier arena in the past three years, that even with the loss of these two very fine runners, it can look to the .future wit.i confidence. Will those clubs who have not yet forwarded a copy of their syllabus to the harrier sub-committee please do so ’ immediately: a copy of each club’s syllabus would also be welcomed bv this writer. Clubs will be. well advised te liven up their publicity officers, both in the matter of reporting club runs and in forwarding notes for this column. SCOTTISH CLUB. Scottish had a very Interesting run from Kelburn on Saturday, although the nature of the going did not allow of a true test of the new blood contained in the ranks. Nevertheless, several of thh new runners showed promise, two at least having an action and physique well above tho average. Thessman, who showed up prominently in the Civil Service, tournament distance events, has joined up with the club, and is likely to make a big bid foy the novice race next Saturday. As the club will be looking for a new champion te replace A. Page, and the prospects of several are vVry even, very keen competition is expected in the club’s ranks this season. MASTERTON CLUB. The Masterton Harrier Club officially opeiCd its season with a fivemile handicap race last Saturday. A splendid muster of runners turned out, despite the trying weather conditions. The veterans, J. Hunter and J. Kitchener, laid the trail. L. A. Keats conceded up to nine minutes. E. McEachen. a new member of the club, late of the Christchurch Hamers, carried off the honours in the excellent time of 31.32 (fastest time), L? Waters, C. Anderson, V. Spackman, and H Orman being next in places. Keats failed to get up owing’ l to a sprain. R. A. Rose did not start, but will be making an appearance at a later date. After the race the members were en■tertained at tea by Mrs. J. Hunter, of Casel Street. L. A. Keats was elected club captain for the ensuing year. Tho retiring captain, who so pomilarlv held that office for the nast year, was accorded three hearty chd?rs. V. Snackman was re-elected vicecaptain. It was decided that a series of monthly handicap races be included on the syllabus. OLYMPIC CLUB. The Olympic harriers had slightly under their usual number out last Saturday, only 19 turning out to the invitation run at Seatoun Heights, where Mr. Persten, one of the vicepresidents of the cluh. did the duties of host at his residence. ’ Several ladies and friends journeyed out. and a very enjoyable afternoon was spent. The run led over to the Miramar flats and covered about five miles. A notable absentee from the pack was C. Campbell, who is spelling off after a hard summer season, but he will he te the fore for the championships. J. Persten, another track runner, would be well advised to ease off a hit, as he is rather fit for so early in the season. Throe young runners who should be heard of before the season finishes are Grove. Tait, and P. Wilson. P. Wilson is a brother of Tom Wilson, who represented New Zealand in the Australasian championships. Grove was in the club last year and was one of tho team when the club won th.h Bennett Memorial Shield. Tait is as yet untried, but shows promise of becoming a first-rater. The Beaglehole family has again supplied a good runner in the youngest boy of the family. When lie learns to use the full length of the legs nature lias endowed him with he will be a hard proposition. There are several other young runners I would like to , mention. but space will not permit, so I will reserve mv remarks on them for a further occasion. The next run is from tho terminus, Kelburn, and runners are reminded that 3 p.m. sharp is tho time the run commences.