WIN FOR BOOT

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 118, 12 February 1940, Page 7

WIN FOR BOOT

Centennial Mile Run In Wellington FAST TIME RECORDED To the accompaniment of applause from a crowd that was stirred by a splendid race, V. P. Boot, the British Empire and New Zealand half-mile champion and recordholder, scored a brilliant victory in the centennial- one-mile invitation run at the Basin Reserve, Wellington, on Saturday afternoon. The time, 4.15 4-5, was only 2 1-5 outside Randolph Rose’s New Zealand record, and considering that rain had fallen on the track for two hours and that the race was run in a steady downpour, the performance was full of merit.

Boot, who is now in the Trenthain Mobilization Camp, won by 10 yards from the Auckland champion, S. J. Wade. Cecil Matthews, Canterbury, the British Umpire Gaines three and six miles champion, was third. C. Dickie (Wellington), who set a solid pace, was fourth, and W. A. C. Bullar (Masterton) was,a disappointing last. These were the five starters. Probably never before has New Zealand had such a fine collection of milers in any one season. Dickie was in front for the first two laps, and Matthews took command at the third. Two hundred yards from the finish Boot came forward with a great burst to mow the field down. The first lap was done in 63 4-5, the half-mile in 2.9 2-5, the threequarter-mile in 3.13 4-5, and the full distance in 4,15,4-5. Before the race the Koyal New Zealand Air Force Band thrilled the crowd with their march past, playing “Sussex By the Sea,” and counter marching and wheeling. The grandstand appeared to be comfortably filled, though there would probably have been a record crowd had the weather been tine. It was necessary to curtail the programme because of the rain. Results:— Grand Centennial, One Mild Invitation Race.—V. ]>. Boot (Wellington), 1; S. .J. Wade (Auckland), 2; C. H. Matthews (Canterbury). 3. Time, 4.15 4-5. 100 Yards Senior Handicap.—First heat: J. Prendergast (Syds.), 1; A. Ryan (7J yds.). 2; J.'Sutherland (ser.), 3. Time, 10 1-5. Second heat: G. Gunn (Byds.), 1: P. J. Gallagher (6yds. j, 2: B. Synott (5 yds.), 3. Time, 10 1-5. Final: Prendergast, 1; Gallagher, 2; Gunn, 3. Time, 10

100 Yards Junior Handicap.—First heat: W. Hocquard (3yds.), 1; J. Harrington (4yds.), 2: F. G. Seymour (4yds.), 3. Time, 10 2-5, Second heat: P. G. Kissel (Iyd.). 1: Norton (2yds.). 2; S. Beale (3yds.j 3. Time, 10 4-5. Final: Hocquard, 1; Kissel. 2; Norton, 3. Time, 10 1-5. 100 Yards Women’s Handicap.—First heat: Miss J. Newman (6yds.), 1: M'ss J. Chase (10yds.). 2; Miss N. Ford (7yds.), 3. Time, 12. Second heat: Miss C. Hunter (4yds.). l: Miss D. McDougall (Syds.), 2: Miss .M. Molloy (syds.), 3. Time. 11 4-5. Final: Miss Newman. 1; Miss Chase, 2; Miss McDougall. 3. Time, 11 3-5. 220 Yards Handicap.—-First heat: A. Ryan (10yds.), 1: E. L. 'Todd (12yds.), 2; J. Ford (3yd«.), 3, Time, 23. Second heat: J, Gallagher (12yds.), 1 ; E. 'Thompson (17yds.). 2; P. G. Ryan (oyds.), 3. Time, 23 2-5. Because of rain the final was not run. 440 Yards Handicap.—First heat: W. J.

Winter (22yds.), 1; F. Taylor (Oyds.j, 2: G. Quinn (scr.j, 3. Time, 50 4-5. Second heat: W. Evensen (12yds.). 1: C. Robinson (sen), 2; W. M. Sellar (15yds.). 3. Time, 49 4-5. Third heat: A. Cochrane (12yds.), 1; J. P. Eastwood (ser.), 2. 'Time, 58 3-5. Final: Evensen, 1; Eastwood, 2; Cochrane, 3. Time, 50. 440 Yards Junior Handicap.—B, A. Patrick (syds.), 1; P. G. Kissel (sen), 2; J. Bold (7yds.), 3. Time, 52 1-5. SSO Yards Handicap.—A. Rowell (75yds.), J: It. Smith (80yds.), 2: W. J. Rendall (SOvds.), 3. Time, 1.56 4-5. Women’s Inter-house Relay.—Government Printing, 1; James Smiths, 2. Wills (Petone) were first home, but wore disqualified for breaking. Inter-sports Relay.—Self Help, 1; Poneke, 2; Wellington-, 3. Time, 52 2-5. Junior High Jump.—H. G. Hawker (7in.). 1: W. Hocquard (4in.), 2; J. P. Fox (ser.), 3. Height, sft. Sin. Que Milo Walk Handicap.—N. McCarthy (ser.). 1: F. Dunible (150yds.), 2; D. Sinclair (130yds.). 3. Time, 6.54. 440 Yards Cycle Handicap.—First heat: A. Pennington (ser.), 1; E. Yuile (20yds.), 2. Time, 36 2-5. Second heat: IL Laurie (25yds.), 1 : H. Sparkes (20yds.), 2. Time, 35 1-5. Third heat: E. Xangley (10yds.), 1: M. Graham (20yds.), 2. Tinto, 39 4-5. Final: Laurie, £; Graham, 2; Pennington, 3. Time, 34 3-5. BOOT TO RETIRE Announcement on Saturday After the mile relay race at Mastertoll next Saturday V. I’. Boot, the British Empire and New Zealand half-mile record holder, will retire. lie made this announcement at the Basin Reserve on Saturday afternoon after winning the centennial mile race in pouring rain in the good time of 4.15 4-5. Boot is at present in the Officers' Training Corps. lie is not only one of the most outstanding amateur runners the Dominion has produced but one of the most unassuming and popular. He has always been ready to hand on the benefit of his wide experience to youthful runners.