PROMISING GIRL RUNNER FOUND AT EVENING SPORTS

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6807, 10 January 1929, Page 6

PROMISING GIRL RUNNER FOUND AT EVENING SPORTS

Nearly Equals Record WINS BAREFOOTED IN WONDERFUL TIME FOXTON’S ATLANTA'. The performance of a sixteen-year-old Foxton girl on the running track last evening, has set athletic circles in the Manawatu talking. Barefooted, she toed the mark in two races against experienced runners with sprigged shoes and costume, and won both events No time was taken in tho first race of 75 yards but when she romped home oil the 4yds mark, she was put back on scratch for the second event of 100 yards. This handicapping, however, only served to inspire her to more strenuousc effort and again she breasted the tape well ahead of her companions and covering the distance in a tinio which closely challenges the New Zealand ladies’ record for the distance. So enthusiastic were the Manawatu Athletic club officials at her performances that before she loft for home, she was equipped with running costumo and shoes and extended best wishes for success in the events in which she is competing at Wellington on Saturday. This Manawatu Atlanta is Miss M. Barron, of Foxton, and it is stated that last evening was her first appearance at an organised sports gathering.. The Times predicts that big things will be heard of her in the future, and the district will now eagerly await her appearance at the Manawatu club's meeting on March 2, when Miss Norma Wilson, of Gisborne, who represented New Zealand at the Olympic games, will compete in a special challenge race with Miss Peggy Stewart, of Wairoa. Both these young ladies have covered 100 yards in the same time —11 JFSsecs. It would be interesting to see how Miss Barron shaped alongside the New Zealand champion. Results of last evening’s events on the Sportsground are as follow: — Half-mile cycle race: G. Cooksley (40yds) 1, O. Prouse (90) 2, M. Donald (15) 3. One and a-half mile cycle: G. Cooksley (130yds) 1, O. Prouse (200) 2, McKenzie 3.

220yds handicap: H. McDonald (13) 1. A. Weston (12) 2, L. Cowling (18) 3. Only starters. Ladies’ 75yds: Miss M. Barron (4) 1, Miss G. Matthews (5) 2, Miss M. Bailey (7) 3. Ladies’ 100yds: Miss M. Barron (per.) 1, Miss G. Matthews’(6) 2, Miss Gill (scr) 3. Boy’ 100yds: N. Barnao (Convent) 1, Jack Mullins (College St) 2, B. Turnbull, (College St) 3. Other events were postponed by the rain.