Reuben Wilson’s Fine Record As A Miler

Northern Advocate, 31 March 1937, Page 2

Reuben Wilson’s Fine Record As A Miler

The splendid performance of Reuben Wilson in the New Zealand mile championship at Auckland recently was a source of great pleasure, not only to his many friends in Whangarei, but to the townspeople as a whole. This young man, who has attained the top flight of Australasian milers, in fact he is only a matter of seven or eight seconds off the world’s best, was born here' and, with the exception of the last two years, has always had his home here. Reuben ..was manned some little time ago and, with his wife, has been holidaying in Whangarei for a couple of weeks. He returned to Wellington on Monday.

• The possibilities of Wilson as a runner were first sensed by Mr L. T. Bradley who himself has figured in many middle distance races in Northland. It was he who started Wilson off on his athletic career and then the tyro was coached by Frank Nesdale, one time Australasian 440 hurdles and haK-mile champjon. For two years, 1931-32 Reuben ran as a professional at many sports meetings in the North, concentrating on the mile. As he improved so his promise became more pronounced. He won 12 mile races, his. best time being 4.24, off 35 yards, at Maungatapere in 1932. He then realised that his' chance to really make good lay in assuming amateur status, as here he would find better competition and the opening which his ability deserved. When the Whangarei Amateur Athletic Club was formed, he immediately sought and was granted reinstatement. That year, 1933, he represented the club in the Auckland Provincial mile championship and clinched the title, defeating J. ‘ W. Savidan in 4.27 2-5. His success gained him a place in the Auckland team for the New Zealand championships at Wellington and in this, his biggest essay since he took up the sport, he ran second to L. McLachlan, of Otago, being beaten by tour yards in 4.22 2-5. In the same season he beat- E. W. Barwick, the Australian mile champion, at Auckland in 4.23, finishing three seconds ahead of the Australian. Early in the next season, he secured a position at his trade in Wellington and that ''year annexed the mile title there in 4.27. He was unable to compete at the New Zealand championships, which was unfortunate for him as ; his chances were generally regarded as very bright. The.'title was won by' E. Forne, of Hawke’s Bay, but a fortnight later, Wilson beat Forne at Wellington by three seconds. ; Last year, Wilson was again easily the Wellington champion, doing the

distance in 4.27, Representing the capital city at the national meeting at Christchurch, he was beaten into second place by V. P. Boot, of Canterbury in 4.22 4-5. In that race, the exWhangarei runner suffered greatly from jostling. Boot did the last lap in 59 4-5 seconds, the fastest evef recorded in a New Zealand title event. Wilson had his revenge a 'few days later, however, when in a CanterburyWellington match meeting at the latter centre, he breasted the-tape inches in front of the champion after a memorable struggle.

For the third consecutive occasion, Wilson took the ... Wellington honours this year, winning in effortless style by 6C yards in 4.25 on a wet track. Just over a fortnight ago, he again tackled the best of New Zealand but again was unfortunate enough to have to be content with second honours.

However, in being beaten by'W. A. Pullar, of Otago, by two feet in 4.13 4-5, he did nothing else but cover himself in glory. It was a thrilling contest in which Pullar and he had everything to themselves. The two staged a memorable duel right to the tape but the Otago man was just that little bit too good. The really brilliant time in which Wilson covered the mile is convincing evidence of his ability. It also indicated that he has markedly improved in the last few months and with youth still on his side and keenness written on his face, it would not be surprising if next season he dclipses his latest effort.

After thrice filling the runner-up position at the national championships, winning the Wellington title three times and the Auckland provincial once, nobody would deny that Wilson is certainly deserving of a Dominion championship. Northlanders hope that such' an honest trier will fulfil this ambition. At any rate, the ex-Whanga-rei boy may well feel proud of his record.