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Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 38, 14 August 1939, Page 6

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N.Z. CROSS-COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS

WELLER LEADS ALL THE WAY

(By Telegraph—Press Association.)

HASTINGS, August 13

Setting a fast pace from the gun, C.' D. Weller (West Coast, North Island) '< established a lead over W. A. C. Pullar1 (Wellington) and was never headed at any part of the national cross-country championships at Havelock North on' .Saturday afternoon. Weller won ihej event for the fourth 'Consecutive time.' With half a mile covered Weller led Pullar by three yards. He increased! this advantage throughout the six and! a quarter mile contest to win by ap-i proximately 75 yards. In the latter stages the race developed into a duel ] between the leaders, Weller gaining the advantage on the open country, and Pullar making up ground on the road. From the early stages of the race it was obvious that the winner was either of! the two leaders. As the contest progressed Weller and Pullar drew away from the field, and at the finish were i more than 200 yards ahead of any other runner. The teams race was won by Otago, with Auckland second. Individual placings were as iollows:—; C. D. Weller (West Coast, North Island), 36min 2 l-ssec, 1. W. A. C. Pullar (Wellington), 3Gmin 14 4-ssec, 2. T. Kennedy (Otago), 37min 12sec, 3. A. G. Harding, 37min 4sec, 4; A. R. Geddes CO.), 37min 4sec, 5; H. E. Taylor (Hawke's Bay-Poverty Bay). 37min 9sec, 6; L. R. Watters (A.), 37min 29 sec, 7; W. McKinnon (O.), 37min 30sec, 8; G. Davie (CO. 37min 38sec, 9; C. Littler (A.), 37min 41sec, 10: L. J. Logan (O.), 37min 41sec. 11; G. Bromley (W.C., N. 1.). 37min 49sec, 12. The teams race resulted: Otago. 25 points, 1; Auckland, 34 points. 2; Wellington and West Coast. North Island, 56 points, each, equal, 3; Hawke's BayPoverty Bay. 82 points, 5; Canterbury. 86 points, 6.