HARRIER RUNS

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 250, 19 July 1937, Page 14

HARRIER RUNS

Trails Followed in Wintry Conditions ICY-COLD RIVER SWUM The members of the Wellington harrier clubs arc a hardy lot. Cold, rain, snow or hail, cannot prevent them from turning out for their weekly runs. Though the arctic weather on Saturday caused all sports in the city, with the exception of the New Zealand Rugby trial match at Athletic Park, to be called off, the harrier clubs went on with their programmes. The Brooklyn and X aisitj teams, which visited Upper Hutt, had to swim Hooded creeks and drains in the Mangaroj Valley. Brooklyn and Varsity The Brooklyn and Varsity harrier clubs held a combined run at Upper Hutt with the purpose of assisting several enthusiasts of the district who desire to start a harrier club there. The two clubs journeyed to Upper Hutt by bus and the run began from St. David’s Presbyterian Church. No trail was laid, but each of the three packs started off led by an Upper Hutt runner. After going over the hills into Manga run Valley, the harriers crossed the railway line and crossed the hills again to Alnorihank from where they took the mam road back through the township to the church. The type of country encountered was far different from that around the city. The fast pack swam across a swampdrain. and the slow pack, which took a .slightly different course, had the experience of swimming a Hooded river. At the end of the run, afternoon tea was served in the church hall. R. Watterson, captain of the Brooklyn club, thanked the Upper Hutt men for one of the best runs of the season. A. Horsley, captain of the Varsity club, said he hoped the two clubs would have many similar outings in Upper Hutt. Wellington and Hutt Valley Clubs On Saturday afternoon -10 runners of the Wellington and Hutt Valley clubs ran from Melrose hall- The trail, a sixinile course, was varied and contained road, work, fences, slippery hill running, and heavy, muddy tracks. The runners left in two packs, kept together very well and finished very fresh. Afternoon tea was served by lady members of the club and. was appreciated by-all. The club captain, Mr. H. Brady, welcomed the Hutt Valley harriers on behalf of the "Wellington club, Mr. H. Walker and Mr., V. Smith replying, On the motion of Mr. W>ugh, members stood in silence as a marl? of respect to the late Mr. Baudinet, former president of the Scottish harriers. Olympic Club The Olympic club’s run was held from the Church of England hall, Wadestown, about 10 runners participating. A five-mile trail, laid by A. Richardson and A. Shaw, led from the church down Wilton Road to the black bridge, and then ascended the road on the opposite side of the gully. From Archibald's farm the trail lay down the road and . across a bridge on to the road to Ngaio. After crossing the railway line, the runners descended into Ngaio. following the main road fojr some distance. The trail then branched off to the right across some paddocks and into Cockayne Road. The paper then led up Calcutta Street for some distance and a descent was made by way of the bridle track to Kaiwarra. The packs then proceeded along Pickering Street and up the Kaiwarra Gorge Road, branching to the left and crossing the stream some distance past the oil installation. An ascent was made to the railway line and the runners then proceeded up the hill to Wadestown. The final stretch lay through several streets hack to the church. Next Saturday the Olympic club will

travel to Masterton to meet the Kiatere cluh in the second race .for the Turnbull Cup. Presbyterian Club About 50 members of the Presbyterian club braved the elements and travelled by bus to the Khandallah Presbyterian Church, A six-mile trail, laid by R. Rogers, followed the new Johnsonville road for a certain distance, then cut across to join the old road leading down to the head of the Ngahauranga Gorge. After following the gorge road for about a quarter of a mile, the trail led up to Newlands and joined the gorge again lower down. From here it led tin a muddy and slippery track back to Khandallah. Although the wintry conditions were not very pleasant while running, after a good cup of tea all felt much better. Next week members of the club are travelling to Auckland to compete with the Auckland Presbyterian harriers for the trophy donated last year for annual competition. A run will be held from the Kent ‘Terrace Presbyterian Church for those who are not going to Auckland. Methodist Club About 30 members of the Methodist and Baptist clubs gathered at Wesley Hall, Taranaki Street, ou Saturday. The trail of approximately five miles, laid by E. Bush and L. Ingram, led down Taranaki Street, along Jessie Street, up Elizabeth Street, along the side of' Mount Victoria, on to Palliser Road, through the trees to Roseneath, back behind 2YA to the fever hospital, down Mein Street, along the hillside, through the paddocks behind Wellington College, and down Pirie Street home. The fast pack was led by R. Ingram, the intermediate pack by G. Thompson (Methodist),, and the slow pack by R. Norgate (Baptist). Afternoon tea was provided by Mrs. S. Ingram and the senior Young Women’s Bible Class. The club captain, J. Walker, welcomed the members of the Baptist club, and wished the club a very happy and successful career. Mr. I. Elder, vicecaptain of the Baptist club, replied. Mr. N. Chisholm thanked the ladies, Mrs. Ingram replying. All arrangements were completed tor the Auckland trip next week-end. Members not journeying to Auckland are asked to meet at the Baptist Church, Resolution Street, Lyall Bay, at 2.30 p.m. next Saturday afternoon. Scottish Club As a mark of respect to the late club president, Mr. A. XV. Baudinet, members of the Scottish club stood in silence for a minute and wore black arm-bands. A. A. Brown and D. McGruar laid a good trail of six miles for the weekly run, commencing from Parkvale Road, Karori. It led up on to the ridge, where the full blast of the cold southerly was encountered. The track along the ridge was followed for a distance, after which the descent was made into the valley and the creek bed followed downstream. Ihe creek was in full flood, and many were the thrills and spills as the creek was crossed and recrossed over this portion of the trail. The homeward journey was made by way of the track leading on to the Makara Road, thence down to the tram terminus, and back to the Methodist Church along the tramline. Despite the wintry conditions, 30 members turned but in two packs. However, conditions were against pack formation, the runners soon spreading out, the main desire being to get back as quickly as possible. The run was the coldest experienced this season, accentuated by the fact that the runners were up to their waist in icy water when fording the ereek in places. However, a hot cun of tea, prepared by J. Riddington and A. Bourgeois, a.waited the runners on their return, the process of thawing out being thus expedited. Next week’s run will be from the Island Bay Surf Club’s shed.