EVANS MAKES RECORD

Hawera Star, Volume L, 20 February 1931, Page 5

EVANS MAKES RECORD

KISER BEATEN TN HALF-AITLE. TATHAPE AfAN’S BRILLIANT WIN. IBy Telegraph—Press Association.) AVANGANUI, Not since the national athletic championships has there been such enthusiasn~at Cook’s Gardens as that shown to-night, when Don Evan® heat Rufus Iviser, the visiting American, by almost 20 yards in the half-mile, to break the New Zealand and Australian amateur record for the distance by two seconds. Evans ran his own race, lying last until aniout 300 yards from the finish, when lie staged a phenomenal run to gain the lead on tho last curve.

The crowd fully appreciated the. performances of the American visitors, Harlow Rothert in the shot put, long jump and broad jump, Rufus Kiser in the half-mile, and George Simpson in the 100 yards and 220 yards. At the start of the record-making half-mile, Kiser, running off scratch with Evans, set a fast clip. Evans was not to be bustled. He ran steadily', his tremendous stride covering the ground with the ease of a tuned machine. At the first curve, about 80 yards from the start, the American was leading Evans by 25 yards. On entering the straight Kiser had the field in hand, and a few yards later was in the lead. Evans was still running his own race, the distance between the two principal men having been increased. There was a big gap between Evans and the last of the others. At the end of the first quarter Evans was about two chains behind the American. When Kiser entered the back straight Evans saw* him lift slightly. Straight away he opened up and brought the spectators to their feet. He began to' overhaul the field rapidly'. In that) straight lie passed tlie whole field.) Leaving the last curve Evans had os- j tablishcd a 10-yaxd lead on Kiser and (he 21-year-old Taihape boy straightened up from tlie curve to. increase his lead and score a smashing win. It was announced that the time was lmin 54 4-ssee, thus heating the present record put up by Lloyd Halm, the American, at Ha.wora by two seconds. Kiser also boat the New' Zealand and Australian records for the distance. Kiser’s first lap was run in 54sec; Evans intended to run the same lap in sSsoe. , , In the 220 yards George Simpson bettered (lie Australian and New Zealand record by 2-sscc. He began with his characteristic bullet-like start and passed the field on the curve to lead into | the straight by a yard. M. Strange, j Palmerston North, off five yards, .was hanging on grimly, and up the straight | he lost only a yard. The American re- [ ceived an ovation when the time, 21 2-5 | sec, was announced. j In the 100 yards Simpson started in the final to win in 9 4-ssec. ; Harlow Rothert in. an exhibition shotput following his win in the event with 49 feet, better his previous best in “the Dominion by two. and a. half inches with 50ft 64in. He won the high jump from scratch, jumping sft 54in. Immediately the meeting concluded the three Americans left, for Wellington with Air Amos, delegate to the New Zealand Council for the WanganuiTa,ra,naki Centre.