HARRIERS

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 265, 5 August 1929, Page 18

HARRIERS

CHAMPIONSHIP EVENTS HUTT VALLEY AND OLYMPIC CLUBS The Hutt Park on Saturday was the scene of two club championships, the Hutt Valley and the Olympic Clubs, lhe races were held over the Gf miles course, which was marked out by the Hutt valley Club. The weather was perfect and the course, although soft in places, was easy underfoot. HUTT VALLEY CLUB. Mainly through the prevalence of influenza, very few runners entered for the Hutt Valley Chib race, but an interesting and evenly contested race yas witnessed by a small crowd of followers. The course, which was of a somewhat difficult nature, led from the Hutt Park grandstand, past the caretaker's cottage (east end of the park), across a paddock, along the new Dav's Bay road, to the beach via the Maori cemetery. The trail then made a detour to the corner of the Day’s Bay and Gracetield Roads, by way of the new oil depot. From Gracefield Road the runners journeyed across the fields to the small railway bridge over the Waiwhetu Stream, along the railway workshops fence, to the north end of ‘the park, where the runners entered on to the course proper. The course then led in front of .the stands. This lap was traversed twice, making a total of GJ miles. Starting from the grandstand, the Hutt Valley men ran bunched closely together. Coming out of the park and crossing oyer to the new road V. Smith (club captain) took the lead, with C. McCarthy and D. Matson in close attendance. Striking the beach. Smith gradually increased his lead, McCarthy gaining a few yards on Matson. The rest of the field were well strung out. Crossing at the junction of Gracefield and Day’s Bay Roads, Smith, running well, maintained his lead on McCarthy and Matson. Dudly had improved his position and moved up. Smith managed to retain his lead around the course and was a good 20 yards in front of McCarthy when the second lap was started. Dudly followed 100 yards away. This lap was run in 22 minutes. Right up to the Waiwhetu Stream for the second time the same order was maintained, McCarthy having moved closer to Smith and away from Matson. Coming across the course McCarthy closed up and passed Smith with a great burst of speed. Coming down the home stretch McCarthy increased his lead and won by a good 15 yards. Matson finished strongly in third place. Dudly, who ran creditably, filled fourth place. The following are the results in detail, the times being also given:— C. McCarthy (42min.), 1 V. Smith (42min. 9sec.) ~ D. Matson (42min. SSsee.) J Dudley (44niin.) . 4 E. Lewis (44min. 57sec.) «> A sealed handicap held in connection with races resulted as follows: —D. Matson (scr.), 1; R. Dudly (30sec.), 2; G. Lewis (70sec.), 3. . C. McCarthy and 1. Smith secured fastest times in the sealed handicap, but as they were the prize-winners the handicap goes to the next men in order.Seven men finished the course. The following were the officials Starter, Mr. B. Lippet; timekeepers, Messrs. Price and z Goddard; judges, Messrs. Townsend, Doone, Hadley, and Craig. HUTT VALLEY LADIES. The ladies’ section of the Hutt Valley harriers also held their championship race around the Hutt Park. Miss E. Rowe, who ran a fine race, won somewhat easily from Mrs. V. Smith. The following are the results: —Miss E. Rowe (20min. 25see.), 1; Mrs. V. Smith (21 min. 23sec.), 2; Miss M. Hodgkinson (21 min. 45sec.), 3; Miss G. Pilcher (22min. 45sec.), 4. Mrs. Smith proved to be the winner of the sealed handicap. ■ At the close of the run, the members and runners assembled in the Park pavilion. When afternoon tea had been served Mr. B. Lippet, donor of the cup, to be held by the individual winner of the championship, presented the trophy to C. McCarthy. Miss E. Rowe was the recipient of a cup donated by Mrs. V. Smith. OLYMPIC CLUB. The Olympic Harriers held their championship run over the same course as that used by the Hutt Valley Harriers. Twenty-four runners were sent away, and Wilson from the start made his presence felt. Coming along the beach, Wilson bad increased his lead, while C. Campbell and W. Sceats were running prominently. With the railway bridge reached, Wilson had increased his lead by 30 yards. Campbell, running well, had drawn away from Carter, while Sccats followed closely. With the first lap finished, Wilson increased his lead, and from then on the issue was never in doubt. Following along the workshops fence for the second and last time, Wilson led Campbell by over 200 yards, while Carter was a similar distance away from Campbell. Turning into the home straight, Wilson increased his speed, and finished about 250 yards ahead of Campbell, who was running strongly. Carter, running with persistent endeavour, filled third place, while C. Bell finished fourth. The following are the results, the times being given in parentheses:— P. Wilson (39min. 35sec.) 1 C. Campbell (40min. 27scc.) 2 A. Carter (41min.) 3 C. Bell (41min. 46sec.) ...- 4 D. Watt (44min. 29sec.) 5 IV. Sccats (44min. 35sec.) 0 The sealed handicap resulted in a win for J. Blanchfield (Grain. lOsec.), while P. Wilson (scr.) secured second place. C. Bell (Imin. lOsec.). was third, and L. Williams (3min. 55sec.) fourth. SCOTTISH CLUB. At the invitation of Mr. W. 11. Preston, the Scottish Club held their weekly run at Day’s Bay. A fast trail of about four miles was laid by W. Zander and R. A. Black. Three packs were dispatched, comprising altogether twentyfour runners. F. Silver reproduced some of his old form, and put up splendid time. L. Sinclair, B. Lanier, Silvester, R. Brown, G. Zander, and C. Thomson were all prominent throughout. A runin over the last 220 yards resulted in a win for C. Thomson. 11. Brown and Silvester filled second and third places respectively. After tlie run members and supporters were entertained to afternoon tea. Mr. W. J. Walter, on behalf of the club, thanked the president for his hospitality. WELLINGTON CLUB. The Wellington Club held their handicap race of five miles for the Old Boys’ Memorial Shield at Trentham on Saturday afternoon. There was a large number of supporters in attendance. Twentytwo runners faced the starter, Mr. W. Donaldson. After running a fine race F. Harlen came in first, with T. Mulcahy second and A. Corcoran third. T. Mulcahy gained fastest time and L. Watson second fastest. B. Manley was the winner of a special prize donated by Mr. E. Green.