Harriers

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 267, 7 August 1929, Page 8

Harriers

(By

“Whipper-in.”)

The various Wellington Harrier Clubs experienced a busy day last Saturday. Two club championships were held at Hutt Park, while the Scottish and Wellington Clubs held a strenuous run in preparation for their respective club championships. A new ehampionship course has now been laid out at Hutt Park by members of the Hutt Valley Club, and of the harrier sub-committee. The course, of the specific ot miles (10.000 metres), met with the approval of nil who went over it. In places the going is easy, but on the whole the course is one which calls for much endurance. It has obstacles and fences aplenty, and many a harrier came home on Saturday with neat holes in bis “togs." Club Championships. The Hutt Valley Club held its championship race over the new course ou Saturday. This club has been dogged bv bad luck throughout the season, as induenzu and other winter ailments have taken their toll, with the result that the club has had very few fit members to contest any of the races. Despite these adversities, the Hutt Valley Club has battled on, and can always vie with any of the more fortunate clubs in the inter-club races. Run under perfect weather and ground conditions, the championship event was undoubtedly a success. Starting from in front of the grandstands on Hutt I’ark, the trail led past the caretaker's cottage (east end of the park),' across a paddock, along the new Day'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 Graceiield Roads, by way of the new oil depot. From Graceiield 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. The lap was traversed twice. From tlie oli'-set, Vic. Smith, the club captain, jumped to the fore, being closely followed by Matson, Dudley and McCarthy. With the new road reached, Smith still in the van. the runners took the wrong turning, following the ladies’ trull by mistake. When along the road, they suddenly realised their error, and hesitated a good minute before doubling back. When the right trail was found, it was estimated that fully two minutes were lost. Smith, although snil'ering from knee trouble at the start of the second round, ran a splendid race. C. McCarthy, the most promising eolt in Wellington. ' ran a race which has probably never been equalled by any other firstyear runner. Following Smith with great determination., McCarthy overtook him 3(H) yards from home, and increased his load to win by over fifteen yards. McCarthy should be well In the first six home at the forthcoming Wellington provincial championships. Dave Matson ran well, and finished strongly. R. Dudly did not run as well as expected. The Hutt Valley ladies also hold their championship race on Saturday. Miss E. Rowe, who won in a convincing manner, is a line little runner, and more should be heard of her in time to come. It is a coincidence that Mr. and Mrs. V. Smith both secured second places in their respective races. Olympic Club. The Olympic Harriers also held their championship over the championships course. As was fully anticipated Peter Wilson won in a forceful manner. Taking the lead from the bang of the pistol. Wilson was never seriously challenged. Running with beautiful precision, he was heading Campbell by BU yards at the finish of the first lap. Wilson, despite the fact that he had a strange course to contend with, finished a little over a minute slower than last year’s race, his time then being 38mln. 23sec. Colin Campbell ran well aud should bo a valuable asset to his club in the cliampionshlps. Carter, running with persistent endeavour, finished third. This lad is ■lowkr b«t Muoly doming into the Uma-

light, and should come close to be included In the first six. ■Club Huns. Fred Silver ran prominently in the Scottish Club run held at Day's Bay on Saturday. Silver is gradually regaining his old form, and should roach a prominent place in the Wellingtoii ranking, which 1 will give in niy. next notes. Tlie Wellington Club held their old boys memorial steeplechase at Trentlmm on Saturday. A good trail of five miles wns laid by P. Rolicrry and C. Wickham over tvplcai cross-country, which included some tiilrtv fences. F. Ilarlen. off a liberal handicap, ran a heady race, and lasted long enough to beat T. Mulcahy by fifty vnrds. L. Watson ran well to secure third place. The honours of the day went to T. Mulcahy, his effort being the best he lias produced for two years. It Is anticipated that a fine race will eventuate for tills club's championship, as most of tlie members are running consistently. and it will not occasion any surprise If a new champion Is crowned. B. Allan ran well, and enhanced his chances in tlie representative B team. Miscellaneous. Hutt Valiev is now definitely without the valuable services of their “star” runners. Roy Kent and Gordon Bayne. The Masterton Harriers are working hard and it seems likely that Carter. Hack, Carr. Polntoii. and Campbell will be among those to journey down for the championships. The Valley Club is now working earnestly. the members attending nightly walks and’ ruiis. . . Interest In the harriers sport in Lhrlstcliurcli is now lining revived, four clubs now being afliliated to the centre. Savidan. of Auckland. Is still training, but is not running with any prominence. Kells and Cooper are running conslstCI "a? Clarke, tlie popular Auckland veteran of 35 years standing, secured a meritorious win recently when in mud inches deep he bent Barker to the tape by a few yards. Fixtures. The Brooklyn Club held a successful run at Northland on Saturday, where a course over the hills to the Karori stream wns followed. Tlie trail layers. Swain and Ilewitt, proved themselves well skilled, and tlie six miles of rugged country through which the men journeyed taxed their staying powers to tlie utmost. Tlie run-in held over -00 wards resulted in a win for Rothwell. with Snielle second and Ashton third. Tim'runners were subsequently entertained by Mr. and Mrs. Rose nt afternoon ton. Tile following are tlie club fixtures for Saturday next: - Wellington Club. —Championships. I.yall Bay- , . TT Brooklyn.—Club championships, Hutt Park. . Scottish.—Club championships. Hutt Park. Olympic.—Club, run, Miramar; Hutt Valley.—Club run. Hutt Pnrk.