ATHLETICS.

Mataura Ensign, 17 September 1906, Page 1

ATHLETICS.

HARRIER NOTES. C. L. SMITH WINS~THE CHAMPIONSHIP. I GORE WINS THE DOUBLE. Startor : J. J. Bell. Judges : Messrs Montgomery, Bunt, Smillie, and Paape. Timekeepers. Messrs Gibbs, Baker, and Bell. The interest created throughout Southland during the last few weeks in anticipation of the evont of the season—viz., the five-mile cross-country teams race and championship (held on Wednesday afternoon last)—has given place to congratulations to our local Harrier Club. In itself the event was a unique one in the historv of athletics locally, and not only did it prove an entertainment for some 400 spectators, but at the same time evoked much enthusiasm both on the part of competitors and onlookers; and the runners who fought for places during the last few yards received a great ovation. One special point that above others is worthy of note was the good feeling between competitors from start to finish of the contest, and tho handsome manner in which the success of the local representatives was received by outsiders. In a contest such as this luck does not appear to predominate. No one scores through the mistake of another, and the individual or team undoubtedly wins on merit. The competitors scnerally allow that tho race was a real good one and could not have been improved on, and there was a refreshing absence of that little word "if."

Messrs E. D. Bust and D. M. Montgomery must be congratulated on their selection of the course Without a doubt it was a fair.tost for everyone competing, no one having an advantage over the others, except perhaps that those who carried a 4ittlo more weight found the ' bottom of the swamps much more easily than did the light-weights. A description of the race from the signal of the starter, "Go '." till the last man home will no doubt .help to remind the competitors of the liapy times in those bogs 'way yonder 011 the outskirts of the town boundary. The spectacle was a gay ono to watch. Some 35 peds., led ofi by Smith from the Post Office down Main road, were turned by Steward C. It. Ingram by Miss Maclutyre's property, where the first two ob- . stacles, in the shape of quagmires some 12ft. wide, were encountered, the first baptism iu a lake of nind. The more sucsuccessful narrowly escaped, the unwary onos landing in the middle and scrambling out the best way possible. No sooner was this negotiated than a fence appeared, which afforded a pretty "take, several jumping and others scrambling through. A splendid run then led up to the second steward (Mr Faitt), then over Hroughton Street to the third steward (Mr G. Taylor), and then the fourth (Mr G. 1). Turnbull) was sighted at the beginning of the swamp before coining to Mr Badman's residence on the CharltonWaimumu road. Some good paddocks, ' fences, etc., were traversed till the swamp was reached, when the "killer" of the race reduced the pace to a steady pull through the mud, and was responsible for spreading the field out to about 500 yards. To make matters worse, the swamp was a road-line fenced on both sidos, runners having only a limited area for navigation. Smith still retained the lead, but Lopdell went to the front on reaching the fifth stoward (Mr H. A. Martin) at Mr Badman's house, and was followed by Smith, Bust, Trembath, and Brownlie, those constituting No. 1 batch. The second batch were mostly Union Harriers, but included in the bunch was a Gore man (Ross), whose pace was much interfered with, just towards the end of the road line, by his being suddenly charged by a ferocious bellowing cow. This occurrence interfered with his chance and put him out of step; indeed, he narrowly escaped making a closer acquaintance with the brute. Buchanan (Invcrcargill Harriers), who was the next man running on his own, in their striking colors (red singlet), was the noxt to be accosted by the same animal, his colors no doubt being responsible for the attention paid him. Buchanan had a very narrow oscape of being "elevated." Following Buchanan was tho Gore Club captain, who took no chances with raging quadrupeds and quickly got into safer quarters. An earnest race commenced on reaching Mr Watson (the sixth steward), when the rear men seemed to be gaining ground and continued to do so while neoring Mr Pigeon (seventh steward); but when the eighth steward (Mr C. Smith) was reached the front markers had it all their own way and put up a fast mile round tho racecourse. Messrs C. R. Ingram and F. "Wallis took up different positions on the racecourse to ensure the correct course being taken. Trembath and Brownlio fell back a short distance during tho round of the course, and were closely followed by G. Driscoll, Gulbrnith, Mackenzie and others. Up to this period the Union harriers seemed to have a good chance, and their interest in the raoe was enlivened by tho appeal to "Come on Union," but whon the grandstand was passed Gpro had a good margin of points to their credit, four of their members being well up and Cameron (who showed good form) was going strong to add to their prospects. Onco out of the racecourse (Messrs Smith and Pigeon being re-passed), thero was still one more steward (Mr O. R. Buchanan) to lie passed. Mr Buchanan was in the lit no leading to the road, and then the straight was entered. It was now apparent who were to be left to fight for the much coveted honor of champion of Southluml. From the 35 at the start the fight for the premiership was reduced to a trio, in the following order: Lopdell, Smith and Bust. This position was maintained to near the junction of Ardwick and Main streets. At this point Smith jumped to the front and proving himself too good for Lopdell, gradually drew away, winning n splendid race amid much cheering with 20 yards to spare. Bust, who was much handicapped through running in spikes, made a splendid dash for second place, beating his opponent (Lopdell) on the tape by inches. The next to arrive were Trembath and Brownlie, fourth and fift'j plncos respectively, and put up fine consistent performances. The next exciting finish was for seventh place, when W. Ross made a heroic sprint, defeating four Union harriers (Cockroft, Driscoll, Frederic and A. Driscoll) in the last few yards. Another splendid finish was witnessed in the race for 13th place, when a tussle ensued between H. Cameron and J. Duvies (Invcrcargill Harriers), tho latter being beaten in the last few yards. Following these were S. Nash (15), Gulbraith (lfi), several All Blacks, and then another Goto man in Winsloe (20), which placed Gore Harriers (50) winners of the Banner, Union Harriers (GO) second, and Invercorgill Harriot's (81) third, while the Gore representative, C. L. Smith, gained the coveted honor of champion of Southland. The times for the first threo were as follows—Smith 29min. 56sec, Bust 29m in. 59sec, Lopdell 30min. The raco was closely watched bv supporters throughout, quite a crowd as-

sembling at the grandstand, whore the race round the ring was u fine spectacle. A cheer was given as cuoU paused the crowd. A large number of cyclists were to be seen on the road, und a view of the runners was only allowed when the road was cleared to see the finish. The idea of the stewards being stationed at different points with flags was a good ono, and left no room for doubt as to the course, as the white flags were very con-

spicuous for a considerable distance. In my notes previous to the ruce, I tipped Gore and Invercargill teams as oqual; but the race altered matters and placed Union between them. Some time back I picked Smith for the place he secured, but on Lopdell's eight-mile performnnce he seemed to be a sure thing for the championship. However, the heavy going was too muck for him. Bust came up to expectations, and it is always quite safe to give him a pluce, as lie's a sticker, and, what is more, he is an ex-Gore athlete.

Buchanan has an Invercargill reputation, especially for swampy country, and

I expected to see him do better in the race. No doubt be was oil form, or eIM tlio episode with the cow tit responsible fur his not being further forward. Among the visiting performers who ran well and showed geod judgment were Messrs Cockroft, Driscoll Bros., Stewart, \ arrow, Galbrnith. Frederic, Davis, S. NiiHh, Peters, and Lyon, all of whom were conspiouous at timet* and proved themsolves stifl opponents. Messrs A. Thompson, E. IfoKensie, and K. Drain were unfortunate enough to meet with mishaps more or less severe, which compelled them to give up all hope of finishing. The Gore Harrier Club is to be congratulated on the sucees* it has attained in securing "the double" in the first event (if its kind held in Southland, which is a credit to the local members who havepersevered to make the sport popular. They wish to take this opportunity of thanking their many supporters. This event should greatly assist Earrierism with young people of the town. The Banner is to be competed for annually, and the local club are the first to have the honor of having their names inscribed thereon. C. L. Smith's championship carries a gold medal with it. The team nominated to take part in the race was,subject to one alteration, B. Itobson being replaced by E. Inglis, thia young runner acquitting himself well. Next to our sixth man came Chris. Turnbnll, who ran steadily throughout the race and was well up at the finish. Seott and Clanoey are to be congratulated on their performances, the latter making a bold finish and beating his surviving opponent. More should be -heard of these two shortly. Winsloe was responsible for saving our situation, and was a good staver. The officials who controlled the race are deserving of great credit for the manner in which it was conducted, as everything went ofl without a hitch of any kind. The Invercargill competitors returned by the second express, before departing expressing much pleasuro at their treatment while in Gore.