ATHLETICS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 12546, 13 April 1904, Page 7

ATHLETICS.

IS- is now almost certain that a branch of tho New Zealand Boxing Association will be established in Auckland at an early date. The American correspondent of the Sydney Referee givvs details oi another world's record by Arthui Duffy, the famous American amateur sprinter and holder of the 100 yds record. This is said to have been accomplished on February 20 at the Georgetown indoor meeting, when Duffy, running from Bft behind scratch in his heat in ii 50y<ls 'dash, breasted tho tape in a dead heat in"S 2-53., caught by four watches. Tho previous best, s£s., had stood the tost since 1881. RUNNER OF A CENTURY.—ALFRED SIIRUBB. Shrubb has won again! By his victory at Dunstall Park early in March ho__ scored a fourth oonsecuHvc victory in the National crosscountry championship, and has equalled the record existing for so many years of Percy Stennings. The latter won in 1877, 1378, 1379, and 1880. Alfred Shrubb is a veritable marvel, and tho win in 54m. 25 2-ss. from 113 others is further confirmation of his being a human " flyer" of a century, as, although there is a doubt of the distance measuring 10 miles, his pace to the end of the journey was extraordinary. Just as Shrubb showed himself to bo by far the bust of the runners, so did the Highgale Harriers demonstrate their superiority as the winning club. Shrubb was so placed at tho start that he could not get clear and dash away with the lead, as is his custom, and it was not until nearly half-a-mile had bean covered that ho managed to work his way through. On going out into the country, Shrubb seized the first suitable opportunity of trying to break up his most dangerous opponents. Going tip a steep hill with long grass) the champion suddenly put on a trsmendoua spurt, and climbing the incline like a deer shot, clean away, at onu» opening up a gap of about ISOytfe. Aldridge tried desperately hard to hang on, but without avail. The following were the final jilactings:A. Shrubb (South London Harriers), 54na. 25 2-55., 1; A. Aldridge (Highgate Harriers), 55m. 34 4-55., 2; G. Pearee (Highgate Harriers), 55m. 44 2-55., 3; J. D. Marsh (Salford Harriers), 56m. 10s.. 4; A. H. Meacham (Birchfield Harriers), 56m. 42 l-55., 5; W. H. Day (Birch field Harriers), 56m. 51 l-5«., 6; A. G. Home (Highgato Harriers), 57m. 25., 7; G. Whist-cm (Crews Harriers), 57m. 9?., 8; F. James (Kerne Hill Harriers), 57m. lis., 9; F. W. Webber (Crowe Harriers), 57m. 173., 10; W. K. Hickman (Birchfield Harriers), 57m. 205., 11; T. Johnston (flighg-ate Harriers), 57m. 225., 12.