HARRIERS

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 120, 23 May 1931, Page 20

HARRIERS

By "Paperchaser" NOVICE RACES

MEDIOCRE SHOWINGS

Harrier racing was advanced another stage last Saturday, when two clubs held their maiden races. The performances were disappointing, considering the form displayed during the previous two weeks. The Wellington Club postponed its race as a,mark of respect to the club captain, G. T. Mulcahy, whose father died recently. The Hutt ladies had another good attendance- at their run. Olympic Club. Over a course of three miles the Olympic Harrier Club held its maiden race at Lyall Bay. Twenty-nine competitors faced the starter, and in a good race honours went to L. Secats off the lmin lOsec mark. E. Benzer, who filled second place, showed improved form, and was only two seconds behind the winner. C. Bell gained fastest time honours. The members not eligible for the maiden race held a contest over a threemile course. C. Campbell, who is running particularly well, had no difficulty in winning the contest, and won the special .trophy donated by the club president, Mr. J. Perston. Next in order wore S. Williams and J. Bright, both registering good perfortnauccs. Hutt Valley Club. Seventeen runners participated in the Hutt Valley Club's three-mile novice race over one lap of the championship course at Hutt Park. After a promising start by the limit men, the race developed into a struggle between Mack and Lewis, who started from the lmin 40sec mark. These two runners opened up a big gap, and in a spirited finish. Mack boat his rival by a margin of one yard. Then came Walker, M'Grath, Henderson, Marshall, and Hall. The winner's time was 21min 7scc, with Walker (60see) gaining fastest time honours in 22min 35sce. A protest was entered by a number of the runners at the conclusion of the race against Mack and Lewis for having cut the course. The committee could make no decision on Saturday, and after a visit to the locality it was decided to hold a special meeting at an early date. The race was disappointing to the large number of supporters present, only nine runners completing the journey. Garrett, Watt, and Richardson, of whom big things were expected, failed to finish, and at no part of the race looked like being in the hunt. Walker is the makings of a good harrier if he is properly trained. Hutt Ladles. There was another large attendance of members and supporters of the Hutt Valley Ladies' Section at the weekly run held from Mrs. Campbell's residence, Lower Hutt. A pack of eleven girls participated in a run over a course of two miles. Afternoon tea was supplied, and Mrs. Campbell was thanked for her hospitality. The girls open their racing season this afternoon with a novice race from Hutt Park. As the club is now operating as a distinct body, the following officials were elected at a recent meeting:—Patroness,' Mrs. G. Dome; president, Mrs. Pileher; captain, Miss E. Powell; vice-captain, Miss M. Jones; handicapper, Mr. N. Craig; publicity, Mr. B. Freeman; genera] committee, Miss Treanor, Mrs. M. Dome, Mrs. J. Hutton, Messrs. L. Price, B. Lippett, N. Craig; honorary secretary, Mr. A. Marshall. Notes. Throe packs, made up of thirty-nine runners, stripped for the- Scottish Harriers' weekly run, held at Kclburn. F. Silver and B. Lawer, two old members of the club, selected the trail, and they did the job well, the run being an excellent training outing. A closely contested run-in over 300 yards was won by Oliphant, with Ward second and Eichards third. The official opening of the harrier season in Auckland took place last Saturday. The season promises well for the advancement of this comparatively little-known sport in the Auckland province, states a. northern paper. The opening took place at Northcote, about 40 runners from the newlyformed Technical and University Clubs being among the participants. Good form was displayed by Sylvester, Barker, Hill, and Gudsell, of Technical, while Eyre, Rowlands, and Wengdell, of Calliope, wore prominent. The Auckland Club conducted its second series of winter meetings at .the Domain, and the racing was of a high order. Among the- prominent runners in training are J. W. Savidan (British Empire champion) and G. Kells (former New Zealand champion). Pars About Runners. G. Cutbush, a prominent member of the Hutt Club, is leaving next month on an extended visit to England. T. Carmichael, late of the Hutt Club and now running under Olympic colours, ltas present at the Hutt Club run on Saturday. Carmichael stated that it is his intention to go back to his old club. L. Sinclair is slowly getting back to the form he displayed last season, and is expected to play a prominent part in the Scottish Club races and interc'lub events. The team to represent Hutt Valley in the relay race to Masterton on the 3rd June will be announced at an I early; date.