ROSE THE CHAMPION

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 3290, 9 March 1926, Page 11

ROSE THE CHAMPION

OFF TO BLIGHTY. ENGLISH AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIPS. [Per Press Association.] WELLINGTON. Last Night. A proposition has been made that Rose should b e sent to compete at the Eng'lsh amateur athletic championships in July. Possibly he will meet Nurmi there. Early arrangements are probable. DOMINION’S GREATEST MILE RUNNER. A WONDERFUL PERFORMANCE. When Randolph Rose defeated the American Hahn in a mile race at Masterton on Thursday evening he proved beyond all shadow of doubt that he is the greatest mile runner that New Zealand has ever produced. On the first occasion that the pair met Hahn won In the fast time of 4.18 3-5. The only point in doubt was whether Rose was capable of doing faster time, and that has now been conclusively proved.

It Is possible that Rose can Improve on the present record figures now he is trained for the mile, and it appears that the world’s record time is within his grasp, the best ever being Paolo Nurmi’s 4.10 2-5.

On but one occasion prior to the present season has the mile been covered by an amateur runner in New jZealand inside 4.20, Power, a visiting American runner, who was here some years ago, having- that distinction. Another Fine Miler. One of the greatest distance runners that New Zealand has had in recent years was D. Mason, of North Auckland. Just pre-war, Mason, on n rough .track at a place called Whakapara, won a mile race easily in 4.25, and a’though iho time was doubted Mason a few years later gave full proof of his capabilities, when, as a member of the New Zealand Army athletic team he surprised English critics by covering a mile In 4min 18sec. Mor e About Rose. R. A. Rose, the Australian and New Zealand champion, is twentyfour years of age. He is a second cousin of W. J. Burk, who, curiously enough, held the Australasian throe miles championship record from 1893 to 1901. In that year the late W. F. Simpson ran the distance in 14mln 49sec., putting up a new record, which stodd till February 28. 1923, when Rose did 14min 45 l-ssec. Hector Burk, a son of W. J., will be remembered for having defeated the wonderful Alfred Shrubb in a mile race at Lancaster Park, Christchurch, off the same mark.