ATHLETICS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13927, 8 December 1908, Page 7

ATHLETICS.

NI'JW ZEALAND MARATHON RACK. A meeting of the committee deputed to make and carry out arrangement* in connection with the .New Zealand .Marathon race was held last evening hi the Sports C-lubrooms. Mr. Leo Myers presiding. ' The time of the race was fixed for the end of March, the course to be from Ho wick through I ammire. past the Harp of Erin Hotel at Kllerslie, then on past the Junction Hotel at. Epsom, on to the Mannkau Road and along that, thoroughfare to the Domain Drive. From the Domain Drive the runners will emerge on to the Cricket Urouud, then run once round and finish Ihe distance approximates 13 miles. The race will start at, three p.m. and will finish about 90 minutes later.

The prixe for the Marathon will be a silver lutit;el wreath of unique desigu and good value. The runners taking part in the race will at the same time compete in a sealed handicap, for which three additional prizes will be Riven. The competitors will he taken to the start in brakes, their clothing being brought into town by the conveyances. Simultaneously with the Marathon a sports meeting will be held by tlie Auckland Amateur Athletic Club on the Domain, when an attractive programme of athletic events will be submitted. It is proposed to hold un all-round championship contest on that day. AMATEUR ATHLETIC CRISIS. AUCKLAND'S ATTITUDE. The telegraphed reports from Christohurch in reference to the conference held by Wellington, Otago, and Southland amateur centres, in which it was mentioned that the Auckland centre was sympathetic to the movement to secede from the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association, caused a Herald representative to make in. quiries from leading amateurs yesterday. The opinion was practically unanimous in favour of standing by the New Zealand Association. Several were of the opnion that the exercise of tact would have avoided the situation, but it having Rrisen they felt bound to support the governing body. The Auckland Athletic Club spoken of a few weeks ago by Southern clubs as not worthy of consultation in the matter, though dormant, "now is showing signs of waking, and will probably be a power in Dominion amateur athletics before this season closes.