Cross-country Championship

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 287, 31 August 1931, Page 11

Cross-country Championship

Sir, —I have read, with more or less interest, Mr. W. A. Melrose’s letter appearing in your issue of August 21. His statement that it is absurd to say that the colour of a runner’s singlet would not affect the result of a race, goes to show that his knowledge of cross-country running is not very extensive, or that he has failed to apply the knowledge gained by him when he was a -harrier. At this stage let me inform Mr. Melrose, and any other interested person, that the Brooklyn club’s protest was made, not with the object of the disqualification of a member of the Scottish club, but for the purpose of directing attention to a breacli of the rules, which breach Is more serious and far-reaching in teams-racing than most persons imagine.

Five members of the winning team wore singlets of black with broad and conspicuous band of yellow,'the remaining member, a plain black singlet with a small badge on the front. In the teamsracing the participants are aware of the colours worn by their various opponents, and during the progress of a race check up such opponents by their colours. Is it absurd to suggest that the wearing of a black jersey in place of one with a yellow band will mislead runners? A runner has neither the time nor the inclination in a hard and trying race to examine carefullj’ the face and figure of an opponent, with the object of ascertaining to what particular club he belongs. The rule governing the wearing of a club’s registered colours is well known, and both the officials of the Scottish club and the officials managing the race failed in their duty in not seeing that the runner in question was properly clad. If the rule, be not enforced, what is there to prevent a runner front competing in the colours of another club? ■ I. desire to relieve Mr. Melrose’s anxiety as to the inscribing of the championship medals and shield by pointing out that although it is considered the protest should be upheld on a point of law, there is no penalty, and therefore there will be no disqualification. . . / The .harrier sub-committee recently dealt with the matter at its monthly meeting, where the majority of the harrier clubs’ representatives present did not consider the protest either paltry or frivolous. The meeting, although made aware of the fact that there was no likelihood of disqualification, unanimously decided to send the matter forward to the centre for a definite and official ruling. A motion also was passed at that meeting ruling that ih future no runner, on penalty of disqualification, shall Compete in harrier inter-club events in colours other than his club's registered colours. I trust the matter of the protest Will be dealt with by the centre in a constitutional manner, and will not receive short shrift at the hands of that body as has been suggested in the columns of your, paper by a compiler of harrier notes. If by any possible chance the centre has power, which I doubt, to apply disqualification for the breach of rules, it is the hope of the writer and of other members of his club, that such power will not be put into operation.—l am, etc.. BROOKLYN HARRIER. Wellington, August 21.