AMATEUR ATHLETICS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 107, 2 November 1909, Page 11

AMATEUR ATHLETICS.

THE MARATHON RACE. Definite information has been received by the committee of the Wellington Centre N.Z.A.A.A. to the effect that W. F. Simpson, of Ashburton, crosscountry champion of Xew Zealand, and holder of the Australasian record over three miles, will be a competitor in the Marathon race on King's Birthday. Simpson will be accompanied by L. Hill, who was runner-up to him in the championship of the Ashburton Harriers lecently. C. Reid, 01 Auckland, will also be a starter in addition to a number of local runners, including P. Fitzgerald, W. Bennett, H. T. Thompson, and W. Press. Ihe Governor, Loid Plunket, has extended his patronage to the gathering at the Basin Reserve, and has intimated his intention of attending during the afternoon. With a view to fostering a love of athletics among the younger element a 220 yards race for boys has been added to the programme, entries for which will be received on the ground. NOTES AND COMMENTS. (By "Porte-Voix.") The annual sports of the Wellington College were held on the 22nd in anything but favourable weather; showers fell right through the day, making it unpleasant for both spectators (of whom there were a good number) and competitors. Remembering the slowness of the heavy track, some of the performances were distinctly good. In the senior evente, J. R. Baillie struck me as a promising runner; in the 100 yds Handicap he was on 4yds, and won in llsecs, and in the 220 yds he won off 7yds in 25secs — very good performances for a boy of his age. M. Stewart and C. Rameden had quite a field day. They appeared to toe tho mark for. every event for which they were eligible, and neither was very far away when the tape was broken. The former was placed in the Mile, High Jump, 120 yds Hurdles Championship, 100y<ls Championship, 120 yds Handicap, 220 yds Championship, and Half-mile Championship ; ;md the latter was among the final three in High Jump, 220 yds Championship, 120 yds Hurdle Championship, 120 yds Hurdle Handicap, ICOyds ChamI pionship, and Relay Race. M'Coll and ,"Salmond were among others I noticed ' prominent during the day. In the junior events, runners who caught the eyo wore Pilkington, who won the Quarter Mile from scratch, and Poole, who won the 'Half-mile from scratch. Undoubtedly, the best race of the day, and one that created the most excitement, was the 440 yds Handicap. Poole and Pilkington started from scratch in a field of over twenty runners. They kept together the whole way, gradually overhruling the others until they were in the lead about 50yds from the tape. A great finish was fought out, the verdict going to Pilkington by inches. Tho Wellington Club has added to tne programme a 220 yds handicap for boys, and two cycle races for riders in the Wellington district. Cycle racing, both amateur and professional, is almost a thing of the past, in Wellington; for years the amateur athletic clubs have been keeping it alive by a couple of events on their programme. It appears about time (hat those interested did , something in the direction of putting the eport on a better footing. The- annual ' meeting of the Otago Centre was held last week. Messrs. Pollock and Marryalt were re-elected to represent the centre on the council of the N.Z.A.A.A. Mr. J. B.'Callan, jun., vacated the positfon of president; it is !to bo hoped that he will continue to ■ give his advice and help to tho sport. Otago has much to thank him for in tho past. Financially, the centre is easily the strongest m the Dominion; it. .possesses a- 1 cash balance of close on £100. Athletes who are in the first flight often complain that they are harshly i treated by handicappers, being expected to give away too long starts to the lesser lights. The officials of the- Wellington Club have made a step in the direction of giving scratch runners a little advantage, lor at thbir sports on the King's Birthday, whereas in the ordinary course first and second only in heats arc eligible to start in the final, this will be extended to the third place if he happens to be the scratch man. At latest advice R. E. Walker, the South African champion sprinter, was competing at Berlin, where he won the 100 Metres Handicap and the 100 Metres Scratch Run, the time in the latter 10 4-seec — equalling the Olympic record. There is nothing new to report in regard to his proposed tour of Australasia. Pits leaiye expires on Ist November, and it appears unlikely that any attempt will be made by the South African Association to get this extended. Here is the Bulletin's description of the Victorian Marathon Race, which was won by A. R. Sime : — "The race was a dull brown lunacy. Some of the runners required to be continuously re* freshed by their attendants, who Diked in their wake with drinks and sprays. One man fell down on the St. Kildaroad, and had to be massaged. Another broken-down ped. 'was helped along between two friends on bikes. And why young men should thus burst themselves because a Greek who had some real business in hand legged it into Athens on 28th September, 2399 years ago, heaven only knows." The worries of the honorary secretary wore aired at a recent meeting of the New South Wales Amateur Athletic Association. The complaint of Mr. W. B. Alexander and. his reason for resign- j ing, was that tlu> work had grown in volume and grown in unpleasantness. Members gave him no assistance, there were constant bickerings, and the work was not worth the candle (whatever the candle might mean). The chairman and members then promised to improve in the future, and Mr. Alexander was induced to hold over his decision. The Canterbury Club intends holding j i an inaurgural meeting at 'Lancaster Park jon 4th December.