SHORT-WAVE RADIO

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXV, Issue 144, 4 June 1935, Page 3

SHORT-WAVE RADIO

Broadcast of Harrier Race

Yesterday, for the first time in this district, the radio was used to broadcast not only the results of the cycling and harriers’ road races, but also descriptions of the progress of the race from various points. The innovation was very successful indeed, and proved a very great convenience. Very complete arrangements had been made for the trial by the officials of the Napier Amateur Athletic and Cycling Club, and everything passed off without the slightest hitch. A motor ear equipped with a shortwave radio, followed the competitors in both races, and from various points transmitted the description of the races to the sound-shell on the Marine Parade, from which it was relayed to the Athletic and Cycling Club’s loud speaker, placed on the sound platform. The relaying was very distinct and the 2000 or 3000 spectators on the Marine Parade, as well as those with wireless installations, were able to listen-in to the descriptions of the various races, even though the competitors were out of sight. In the cycle race so little change took place in the positions of the lending men that each description was more or less a repetition of that given at the previous point on the way. In the harriers’ road race, howe'er, there was a much more sustained interest in the running as the descriptions showed the back markers drawing closer to, and then passing the limit men, and the changes in position in the run home down the Parade from Awatoto. The excitement grew among the spectators as tile men closed in and it was evident that the finish was likely to be close. As a matter of fact, it was only in the last quarter of a mile that Henshall, the Hamilton runner, collared J. Rogers, of Napier, but Henshall’s finishing effort was a fine one, and he literally walked away in the last hundred yards, winning by ten yards. Hendry was a good third, and the next dozen runners all closely following. The broadcasting of the race was undoubtedly a great success and added another feather of progress i-> the Napier Amateur Athletic and Cycling Club's cap.