MARATHON RACE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 166, 15 June 1936, Page 9

MARATHON RACE.

SAVIDAN FORCED TO RETIRE. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, June 14. . The first marathon race ever held in Auckland was conducted on Saturday by r the Auckland Amateur Athletic Club. The distance was 26 miles 385 yards, tlie course being along the waterfront road between St. Helier’s Bay and the Power Board buildings near King’s "Wharf. The contest was won by L. Smyth, University Club, formerly of Sydney. He had a handicap of 16min., and his time was 3 hours 9min. 55sec.

J. AY. Savidan, British Empire Games six miles champion in 1930 at Hamilton, Ontario, was on scratch, but was compelled to retire owing to cold. Savidan turned the last flag eight minutes ahead of Smyth, but was tiring appreciably. A mile from home his brother threw hot water on his chest, which, however, proved but a temporary reviver, as when the water cooled Savidan lost the use of his legs and retired on the verge of collapse, Smyth passing him a quarter of a mile from the winning post.

CHRISTCHURCH CONTEST

Per Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, June 14. In a wonderful race Civil ■ Service Club (Dunedin) won tlie Kennett Cup Steeplechase to-day. winning the contest for the sixth year in succession. Christchurch A. who put up a great fight last.year, again took second place. Methodist were a close third, followed by Baptist, Technical, and Christchurch B. The race was held at Riccarton.

The contest for the Olliver Cup, for the individual winner, resulted in a win for A. R. Geddes (Civil Service) after a great struggle with T. Allen (Anglican, Dunedin), an individual competitor. Barnes (Civil Service) was third, and D. Brown (Baptist) fourth and the first Canterbury man to finish.