BENSON TROPHY

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 19, 22 July 1933, Page 20

BENSON TROPHY

CONTEST AT MASTERTON

Although the Wanganui Harrier Club succeeded this year in wresting the Benson Trophy from tho Masterton Club, they were beaten by Masterton in the second and final of this year's races held at Masterton on Saturday last. In the first race held at Wanganni on June 24 Wanganui overwhelmed Masterton by 109 points to 283, a margin in Wanganui's favour of/174 points. Masterton succeeded in the second race in reducing this by 55 points, scoring 128 to Wanganui's 183. No doubt the fact that Masterton on this occasion were running on their home track would markc a difference, but the real cause of tho reversal was the fact that several qf Wanganui's best runners were unable to take part in the return contest. Five of Wanganui's points-get-ters in the first race were absent from the second race. C. Weller and the two Johnston brothers, of Wanganui, again filled the first three places, C. Talbot, of Masterton, being fourth, as against sixth in the previous race. However, Northover and Collins, both of Wanganui, who had beaten Talbot previously, were absent on this occasion. Talbot is showing remarkable form for Masterton. He has been first man home for his club in both., tho Benson Trophy events and also in the Sanders Cup event against Hutt Valley. He is only 18 years of age and is new to the sport this season. It is to be hoped he does not overdo it. : TRACK AND CROSS COUNTRY. The wonderful achievement of J. E. Lovelock in putting up a new world?s record for the mile in 4min 7.6 sec leads one to a consideration of the question whether it is advisable for a track athlete to take part in cross country running. It is quite commonly considered that a track runner should not run across country in the winter months, and, in fact, Lovelock himself, when in Dunedin, was advised to give up harrier running in order to concentrate on the track.. Since he has been at Oxford, however, he has been running with the Oxford. University /Harriers and during last season tied for first place in the Oxford-Cambridge cross f,ountry race. And he holds the following track records: —-World's records: $ mile, 3min 2.2 sec; lmile, 4min 7.6 sec. British record: 1 mile, 4min 12sec. It is very obvious that cross-country running has done Lovelock no harm. On the contrary, may we not assume with confidence that he has acquired a great deal of the necessary stamina from his winter running? Even runners over much shorter distances "can benefit from the winter sport. A sprinter requires stamina Ibefore he can achieve any distinction in his events. What better way is there of getting it than by regularly following the winter trails, leaving it, to the summer to concentrate on perfecting his action, starting etc? Many English trainers recommend this course. It would seem that many New Zealand trainers should revise their views on this subject. MARATHON RACE. The Wellington Centre N.Z.A.A.A. decided at its last meeting to hold a 'marathon race during the coming track season and to invite competitors from other centres. It will be remembered that application was made to the New Zealand Council some time ago to put on a marathon race as a New Zealand championship, but the council was unwilling to" do this until it could be shown that the event would be properly supported by competitors from other centres. The idea at the present time is for Wellington to hold tho race on this occasion and to induce other centrese to stage the event in turn in subsequent yjears. There seems little doubt that if this is done and men from other centres compete in reasonable numbers, the event will soon carry a New Zealand . title. Some discussion took place as to whether the event should be held in the harrier season or in the track season. In the writer's opinion, the Wellington Centre decided wisely that the race would be more fittingly run in the track season, as is the prac; tice elsewhere. The ordinary harrier running does not fit a man to run a marathon race. The harriers will now have a reasonable opportunity after tho conclusion of the cross country season of putting in the special training so necessary for such a strenuous event. JOTTINGS. The Shaw Baton relay race will be held on August 19 at Scots College. This race always evokes considerable interest and is a welcome break in the ordinary programme of runs and races.