ATHLETICS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 20 February 1931, Page 9

ATHLETICS

RECORDS BROKEN AT WANGANUI EVANS BEATS KISER IN HALF-MILE (By Telegraph—Press Association) WANGANUI, This Day. Not since the national athletic championships has there been such enthusiasm at Cook’s Gardens as was shown when Don Evans beat Rufus Kiser, the visiting American, by close on twenty yards in the half mile. In doing this he broke the New Zealand and Australian record for the distance by two seconds. At the start of the record making, half mile Kiser, running off scratch with Evans, set a fast clip. Evans was not to be bustled. He ran steadily, his tremendous stride covering the ground with the ease of a tuned machine. At the first curve about 80 yards from the start the American was leading Evans by 25 yards. On entering the straight Kiser had the field in hand, and a few yards later was in the lead. Evans was still running his own race. The distance between the two principal men had been increased. There was a big gap between Evans and the last of the others- at the end of the first quarter. Evans was about two chains behind the American when Kiser entered the back straight. Evans straight away opened un and began to overhaul the field rapidly. In that straight he passed the whole field. Leaving the last curve Evans had established a ten yards lead on Kiser, and then he straightened up from the curve to increase his lead and score a smashing win. It was announced that the time was 1 minute 54 4-5 seconds, thus beating the present record put by Lloyd Hahn, the American, at Hawera, by two seconds. Kiser also beat the New Zealand and Australian records for the distance. Kiser’s first lap -was run in 54 seconds, and Evans ran the same lap in 58 seconds.

In the 220 yards George Simpson bettered the Australian and New Zealand record by 2-5 seconds. He commenced with his characteristic bullet like start and passed the field on the curve to lead into the straight by a yard with M. Strange, of Palmerston North, off five yards, hanging on grimly, and up the straight he lost only a yard. The American received an ovation when the time of 21 2-5 seconds was announced.

In the 100 yards Simpson started in the final to win in 9 4-5 seconds. Harlow Rothert in an exhibition shot put, following his win in the event with 49 feet, bettered his previous best in the Dominion_bv two and a half inches with 50 feet 0J inches. Ho won the high jump from scratch jumping 5 feet 54 inches. Results were:—

Shot Putt—Rothert (U.S.A.) 49 feet linch; Phillips and Weston (dead heat) 2. Rothert in an exhibition throw made 50 feet 6J inches this being his best throw in New Zealand.

Final of 100 yards Handicap—Simpson (U.S.A.), (scr) 1; Stfange (34 yards) 2; Oliver (3£ yards) 3. Time, 9 4-5.

880 yards, short limit handicap— Evans (scr) 1; Kiser (U.S.A.) (scr) 2; McDonald 3. Time, 1.54 4-5 (a New Zealand and Australian record.

220 yards, short limit—Simpson (U.S.A.), (scr), 1; Strange (5 yards) 2; C Oliver (10£ yards) 3. Time, 21 2-5, which betters the Australian and New Zealand record by one fifth of a second. High Jump —Rothert, 5 feet 5J inches, 1; MeGonely (Swindles) 5 feet oinchea, 2; Paul (2 inches) 5 feet 4i inches, 3.