HARRIER NOTES

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 171, 16 April 1937, Page 17

HARRIER NOTES

Season Begins Well IMPORTANCE OF TRAINING (By WlltlTEß-IN.) Last Saturday’:* outing was for most of the harriers in the Wellington district the first run of the season, and the stiffness they felt for the next two days no doubt indicated to them more powerfully than any mere words the importance ot getting down to serious training at once. Good attendances are reported everywhere, and a successful season seems assured. Some of our runners did a good deal of track work during the athletic season, with the result that they are fit for the beginning of the winter. It remains to be seen how they will succeed in the second half of the season. During a conversation with the writer, Mr. P. Wilson, who has been connected with both sports for many years, said he considered that there was no danger of stalcness because of the different requirements of track and cross-country work. The best barriers have usut'ily been good in both departments. Such names as those of A. L. Stevens. C.‘ Campbell. Patterson and A. Bourgeois should remove any doubt as to the advantages of track work. Invitation Runs. All sporting bodies recognise the value of cultivating the social side of their activities. With harriers, the invitation run is a growing feature. Afternoon tea puts a pleasant finishing touch to a good run and affords vice-presidents an opportunity of meeting their clubs under the happiest conditions. Idle Along Packs. Varsity has hit upon an idea which might be beneficial if adopted by other clubs —the Idle Along pack. This was introduced for those who would like to take a run with the harriers but are not certain whether the- will join. Most of us join our clubs after a sample run convinces us of the pleasure to be gained from the sport. But the man who takes his first run even with the slow pack in the middle of the season is liable to conclude he is not cut out for harrier running when perhaps all he needs is a little training. The Idle Along pack is expected to overcome this difficulty. Visitors, such as a football player with a bye, or anyone in need of a Saturday’s exercise, will be put under the care of an experienced harrier, who will not make the' pace too severe. This idea (should make a number of converts. Methodist Club. The keen enthusiasm shown by the large attendance of members and also the number of new members attending the first run of the season augurs well for a very successful season. This club is rich in young talent, and it is to be hoped that members will make full use of systematic training which their management committee is providing for them. It is pleasing to find the personnel of the racing pack has been retained from last season. This pack was well balanced ivith all the members moving very easily and showing promise of good team work. A new member who took the eye as possessing- a good” style and who with training will nrpve a valuable asset to his club is Kell Ayers. B. Kimmins showed improvement, and T. Hinde and J. McKinney were both running exceptionally well. The pack leaders for next Saturday •will be: Racing pack, D. Walker; fast, J. Walker and J. McCormack (deput) ; intermediate, E. Bush and T. Hinde; slow, R. Richards and W. Baker. Scottish. The prospects of this club for the coming season are bright. Last year's A team, Rididngton, Stevens, Tunbridge, Woodley, Bruce, and Violieh, are still turning out, and several prominent runners from other centres have joined the club this year. The best known of these is L. McLachlan who, as a member of the New Zealand team that competed at the Melbourne Centenary 'Games, ran the mile in 4.18. He has had considerable experience in cross-country running also in his home town, Dunedin., A. Bourgeois; Wanganui, who finished ninth in the New Zealand cross-country championships at Auckland last year, has already given an indication of his ability by winning the run-in on the day of the official opening. T. A. Bartlett is another new runner who joined up toward the end of last season after representing Canterbury at the New Zealand championships. In his only race in open company in Wellington—the Bennett Memorial —he finished second in the B grade section. This season he should be a likely prospect for the club’s A _ team., W. Seoble will be running again after a year’s absence from the sport, and is very keen to hold his position in the A grade. Two notable absentees on Saturday last were Garty and Elleray of last year’s B team. It will be remembered that they dead-heated for first place in tlie B grade provincial championship in 1935. Elleray is suffering with eye trouble, which will keep him out of the sport for some time. ’ Despite the fact that the season has only just begun, the club has commenced training operations already from the Basin Reserve on Tuesdays and Thursdays.