HARRIER RUNS

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 264, 5 August 1935, Page 16

HARRIER RUNS

Big- Combined Gathering

V. SMITH’S FIFTH TITLE

With the Hutt Valley club first off the mark, club championships will occupy a large place in the Wellington harrier programme for the next few weeks. The veteran club runner and ex-pro-vincial representative, V. Smith, won his fifth consecutive title on Saturday iu the Hutt Valley championship, making all his own arrangements in a race that produced very slow time. Club activities after the racing of the last two weeks are continuing apace, one of the largest gatherings seen iu clubs for years being held from the Kent Terrace Presbyterian Church, when over 90 runners representing the three denominational clubs in Wellington set off around the hills and city. W. Owens secured a fine win in the Wellington club hmandicap event, beating M. Cooke in a brilliant effort over the last 50 yards. Reports of Saturday’s activities are as follow: — Hutt Valley Cbampionsiiip. Winning with the ease that marked his performances in several seasons past, V. Smith secured his fifth successive win in the Hutt Valley club championship at Hutt Park on Saturday. Details are as follow: — V. Smith, 39min. Bsec .. 1 M. Patterson, 39min. 30sec (Zi- - B. Walker, 40min. 23scc. .....lik-L, 3 The Ewart Cup— B. Walker, 38min. ISsec 1 B. Hurley, 38min. 53sec - D. McGrath, 3Smin. 59sec -/A. 3 Wellington Club Event With favourable racing conditions prevailing, eighteen runners were sent away for the Wellington Club’s Old Boys’ Memorial race, held at Brooklyn. The five mile journey led from Taft Street along Ridgway, past the Mornington School, thence following the ridges down to the Happy Valley Road, and returning via the road to Taft Street. The limit men held their lead along the ridges with Larsen, Drawbridge, Allen and Beere showing up prominently, but the backmarkers had made up the leeway on crossing the creek leading on to the Happy Valley Road proper. At this stage, Cooke, had charge from G. Larsen, with A. Mackay and W. Owens- in close attendance. „ , , Two miles from home Owens moved up to Cooke, the pair making a complete break from the field. Fifty yards from home Owens challenged Cooke and passino, him, broke the tape with five yards to spare. Chalk, found the margin too difficult, although in recording third place he returned fastest time. Owens thoroughly deserved his win, running a well-judged ra 01d Boys’ Memorial Shield :—W. Owens (40sec.), 31.46, 1; M. Cooke. (20sec.), 31.30. 2; C. Chalk (scr.), 31.10, 3. Fastest times: —C. Chalk, 31.16,1; M. Cooke, 31.30, 2; W. Owens, 31.46, 3: A. Mackay, 32.17, 4; S. McKinnon, 33.2, Next week’s run, at the invitation of the women of the club, is to be held from the Melrose Hall. Combined Run. Some 90 runners of the C.Y.M. Methodist and Presbyterian clubs assembled at Kent Terrace Presbyterian Church by invitation of the Presbyterian club. They ran in four packs controlled, the D pack by J. Brodie, C pack by A. Napier, B pack by R. Aliev, and the fast pack by S. Odel.. An excellent trail of about eight miles laid by T. Clayton, D. Bowe and K. Gomrie led up on to Mount Victoria, south to Melrose, down to Lyall Bay, past Kubirnie Reserve to the Patent Slip, over Roseneath to Oriental Bay, finishing up Kent Terrace. A large number of runners followed a wrong trail at Melrose. J. Cowan and D. Lamb were first home following the correct trail. The Presbyterian colts followed a fairly easy trail of about three miles over Mount* Victoria and back through Newtown. J. Astin won the run-in and A. Crawford was second, followed by I. Lambie. . Thanks were expressed on behalf 01 the visitors by R. Alley and S. Odell. The Presbyterian club will hold its club championship and Webb Cup (sealed handicap) race next Saturday at Lyall Bay. Olympic Run. The Olympic club members were the guests of the women supporters at a run held from the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Lang, Buasco Road, Hataitai, about 25 runners being present A real cross-country trail of seven miles was laid by Fisher, and heading up Wellington Road the trail crossed Constable Street and' ran up to Newtown Park. From here the hills were followed right out to Houghton Bay. The return trip was made for about half the distance on the hills, thence along View Road, pajt the Karitane Home, and back via Duncan Terrace. A short run-in at the finish resulted in a win for K. Gillies, with McDowell second and C. Campbell third. Afternoon tea was served. The club championships will be held at Lyall Bay next Saturday. This replaces the teams’ race set down on the syllabus for Miramar, University Club. Twenty runners attended the club run from Island Bay on Saturday, and. in three packs set out over a trail consisting mainly of road work. From the coast the Houghton Bay road was followed to the top of the ridge, after which runners descended and emerged on to the Parade at Lavaud Street. At the tram terminus the three packs were assembled and a short run in down Reef Street resulted in a close finish, with Crawford first, Oliver second. The men took the jaunt easily after last week’s more strenuous run, but for the fast pack Bagnall and O’Connor set a good pace, the latter apparently well at home on the smoother country. Stewart seemed in good form among the intermediate men, and of the members of the slow pack D. Cairns shone in the van most of the way. although Coombes was usually close at his heels. After the run the participants enjoyed afternoon tea at the invitation of Mr. and Mrs. J. 0. Shorland. In expressing the thanks of the members to Mr. and Mrs. Shorland. the club captain, referred to their frequent contributions to the social activities of the club since the first invitation run at their home four years ago, in keeping with the part played by F. B. Shorland in the development of the club. Brooklyn Club. The Brooklyn Harriers Club held its three-mile sealed handicap from Miramar as the guests of Mr. Watterson, thirty-six runners facing the starter. The results were: —H. McGregor (2.20), 18.15 2-5. 1; D. Todd (2), 18.33 3-5, 2; L. Todd (3). 18.41. 3. Fastest times: D. Pederson. 19.36 4-5: O. B. Roberts, 19.57; V. Fitzgibbon, 19.59. Mr. R. Cowie expressed the appreciation of club members to Mr. Watterson and Mr. R. Watterson for their hospitality. Next Saturday’s run will be from Mr. A. Barclay’s. Wadestown, as the guests of Mr. and Mrs. Barclay, sen. Scottish Club. A good muster of 40 members of the Scottish club assembled at Brooklyn on Saturday afternoon. Weather conditions were ideal. Messrs. McDonald and Jones selected a very good trail of about five miles, starting from the fire station straight up Todman Street and turning to the left on reaching the old cow yard. From here the trail led over the hills, joining Happy Valley Road about halfway down to Obiro Bay for home.