TRACK AND FIELD

Dunstan Times, 13 March 1933, Page 6

TRACK AND FIELD

PRO. SPRINTER RETIRES. 1). M'Lennan, of Christchurch, the best professional sprinter produced in New Zealand since the war, has retired from active participation in athletics. M’Lennan, who first came to the forefront in 1925, ran with remarkable consistency for some years (says the ‘ New Zealand Referee’). He was better suited to the 100 yds than the furlong, and over the former distance he was several times credited with 9 4-osec. In 1930 he met Lynch Cooper, the Australian. and then professional champion 'of the world, in a series of races in Christchurch, but lack of experience in scratch racing was a severe handicap to the New Zealander, although lie was successful in recording two wins over the champion. Later in the same year M'Lennan contested the world professional sprint championship in Melbourne, but illness prevented him showing his true form. Had he been accustomed to meeting class runners M'Lennan would probably have revealed even greater ability, ft is a pity he was not in the amateur ranks. His best times were 50yds in 5 4-ssec, 75yds in 7 4-ssec, 100 yards in 9 4-ssec, and 220 yds in 22 1-10 sec.