Harriers BENNETT MEMORIAL

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 78, 29 September 1934, Page 22

Harriers

BENNETT MEMORIAL

ANNUAL ROAD RACE

SEASON'S ACTIVITIES

The annual contest for the Bennett Memorial Shield and the B grade race for the Craig Cup were set down for decision this afternoon over tho usual seven-mile course. Tho entries were not so largo as they have been in previous years, being confined chiofly to the older established clubs. Tho race appeared to be a contest between tho Brooklyn and Scottish Clubs. There were only three points separating these two teams in the provincial race, and tho'defeated team, Brooklyn, was very keen to even up tho honours. Undoubtedly the club which has kept its men from running stale- would have the advantage, as many of the younger runners were beginning to show signs of slowing-up in training for this end-of-scason race. The Olympic Club was fielding quite a strong team, but was not expected to break up its opponents. Tho combination has been running solidly for the last month, and was showing signs of wear. Tho Wellington Club hud two good men, but the remainder of the team did not appear fit enough to back them up.

The individual title was regarded as being quito open. As general form has varied greatly since- the provincial championships, there were still quite a number of aspirants for time honours^ A. L. Stevens and J. Riddington, of the Scottish Club, were expected to bo pacing well to tho fore, while G. Prosser, the provincial champion, would be anxious to repeat his performance in tho all-road event. C. Chalk, tho Wellington man who showed up so well at Dunedin, was capable of springing a surprise if able to keep fit. P. Wilson, holder of tho course record, was again in the field, but was not expected to reach his fonri of two years ago. There were other members of the Scottish and Brooklyn Clubs capable of upsetting calculations and breaking the tape in front of their usually faster clubmates.