ATHLETICS

Evening Star, Issue 19763, 13 January 1928, Page 13

ATHLETICS

TRACK AMD FIELD ACTIVITIES

[By Pistol.]

FIXTURES. January 16.—Otago Centre’s evening meet, Caledonian Ground. February 4.—Otago Centre’s gala evening meet (appearance of Canterbury champions), Caledonian Ground. February 7.—Pacific Club’s evening meet, Caledonian Ground. February 11 Wellington championships. February 11.—Open-air fixture (amateur athletic events included), Carisbrook. February 16.—Taieri A.A.G. s evening meet, at Mosgiel. i February —. —Secondary schools championships, at Invercargill. March 10.—Taieri A.A.O.’s annual afternoon meet. ■ MONDAY’S MEET. An attractive programme has been drawn up for tho meet to be staged on the Caledonian Ground by tho Otago Centre next Monday, the feature of the fixture being the appearance of Eino Keskenin, the great Finnish athlete, in the pole vault and throwing tho javelin events. Keskinen is the Australasian polo vault and decathlon champion, and ho was also second to S. A. Lay in the Australasian javelin throwing championship, in which his effort was oyer 183 ft. Keskincn is capable of clearing lift 6in in the pole vault, though his best leap at the Australasian championships was lift Oiin. He is a fine type of athlete, and the Dunedin public and athletes alike can consider themselves very fortunate that Keskinen is able to appear here during his stay in New Zealand. Among the other events are lOOycls, 440yds, one mile, one mile relay, one mile cycle, and two-mile cycle handicaps, and a ladies’ 100yds handicap is also included on the programme. If better support is not accorded tins event than has been the case in the past there is some likelihood of ladies’ races being dropped by the Otago Centre, which would be a pity. A novelty in the form of a dance on the lawn following the sports has been suggested, and should it eventuate it might be quite a successful innovation. TRAINING ACTIVITIES. Over the holidays there was a lull in training activities at the Caledonian Ground, hut gradually the track ami field men are getting down to training again, though one or two of the backmarkers are still conspicuous by their absence from the track. Still, the fact that there is a big programme of events ahead should bring large musters to the grounds during the course of the next few weeks.

C. M. Olson, runner-up in both New Zealand and Australian half-mile chain pionships, resumed training during the week, though he if, taking things fairly easy yet. The writer would like to see the little top-notcher repeat his northern performances by breaking two minutes for the half-mile on the Caledonian Ground. The “Calc.” track may not be as fast as some of the northern convincing areas, but Groundsman Maxwell has it in firstclass shape just now, and it would not be at all surprising to sea Olsen registering very fast time there hetero the season ends.

B. R. M‘Kernan has been training solidly of late, and over a mile should pick up anotner race or two before long. He has run consistently well over this distance in handicap events during the present season. Veteran W. J. Duff is as fit as ever, though age is beginning to deal with him when it comes to a desperate finish. “ Pistol ” suggests to “ Billy ” that he should endeavor to field a relay team from the ranks of the Dunedin Club. R, O. Johnson, the Otago hop, step, and jump and pole vault champion, who represented New Zealand at the Australasian _ championships, has resumed training, and should benefit from the instruction ho is likely to receive at the hands of the Australasian champion, Eino Keskinen, during the latter’s stay in Dunedin. Johnson received some valuable tips from the cracks in regard to the hop, step, and jump when he competed at the New Zealand and Australasian championships, and the results should be apparent when he next gives a display in this event. While speaking of Johnson. it is only fair that a word of praise should he given to Mr D. Bows, who has trained the Otago champion during the present season and has been responsible in a measure for his good condition. George Cox. the Civil Service sprinter, has been doing some sharp work during the week. Cox is a rather disappointing runner, for “Pistol” is sure that he is capable of better performances than ho has already registered. Cox gets out of the holes fairly wall, but be is rather slow into his stride, and loses valuable ground over the first thirty yards, though be is possessed of a good finish. A tip or two from Olsen, who always moves into his stride very quickly, would benefit Cox. V. Isbister, the Pacific Club’s enthusiastic field man, has been devoting a good deal of time to practice in throwing the javelin, and there are many other Dunedin athletes who could emulate him when it conies to keenness and attention to training. L. Edmond, the Civil Service representative. was out training during tbe week, and it is to be hoped he will be seen in action in tho pole vault on Monday night. J. J. Morris, in the Now Zealand oue-mile championship; has been having a spell, but recommenced training this week, and is a likely starter on. Monday night. It is to be hoped he will not be called upon to give away such a tremendous limit as at tbe Caversham meet, when the long handicap men. were on the 250yds mark.