ATHLETIC SUCCESSES

Evening Star, Issue 22559, 29 January 1937, Page 4

ATHLETIC SUCCESSES

THE DUFF FAMILY FATHER AND SOH COMBINATION [By Pistol.] There is no better-known figure in amateur athletics in Dunedin than W. J. Duff, who at the age of 64 years is still competing in sprint events in open competition here. Only last week Billy Duff filled third place in his heat of the 220yds handicap off 20yds at the Otago

Amateur Athletic Centre’s evening meeting on the Caledonian Ground, and for many years past he has consistently figured among the placings at local amateur meetings, retaining his form and pace to a remarkable degree. The 'last few yards are now beginning to find him out, but it may be Eredicted that off slightly longer marks e will still keep the best of them busy. Mr Duff is one of Otago’s best-known trainers, and it was he who set Lachie M'Lachlan, jun., on the road to athletic success and fame, Billy Duff having been a contemporary of that famous athlete, the late Lachie M‘Lachlan, sen, Mr Duff also trained J. J. Morris when that fine miler and cross-country runner was achieving great success, and many other athletes have been under his charge. In 1927 Mr Duff was manager of the Otago team at the New Zealand track and field championships at Christchurch, he has been prominently associated with the Dunedin Harrier, and Amateur Club, and is a director of the Caledonian Society, being chairman of its Works Committee.

It was only to be expected, therefore, that his sons should have turned towards amateur athletics in the natural course of events. Cyril Duff was the senior athletic champion of Otago Bovs' High School several years ago, and later performed very creditably in sprint competition at the Otago championships, also representing Otago University at the New Zealand University tournament. Another son, A. W. Duff, achieved a good deal of success in sprint competition locally, and there is an instance on record where father and the. two sons filled all the places in a heat of a sprint handicap at one meeting. The youngest member of the family is now well to the fore as one of the most promising athletes seen in Dunedin in recent years. This is Alan Duff, who had the distinction last year of winning the senior athletic championship, the senior swimming championship, and being the champion

bugler at Otago Boys’ High School. He is shown in the accompanying picture with some of the cups he has won. A. R. Duff equalled the school record of 10 l-ssec for 100yds at the High School sports, and also established fresh figures of 23 l-ssec for 220yds. He showed promising form also over 440yds and 880yds. Later, at the Otago secondary schools’ athletic championship meeting, he_ won the 100yds title and was second in a blanket finish in the 220yds event. He met with considerable success as a member of the Kiwi Amateur Swimming Club last season, being the most promising intermediate in that club.. Towards the end of last season he performed very well indeed to win the High School Senior Swimming Cup. He is also a member of the School Rugby fifteen. Duff is a very strong sprinter, and his running has been of a progressive nature during the last' few years. In another season or two he may he expected to (perform with distinction in championship competition.