THE MARATHON RACE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14003, 8 March 1909, Page 7

THE MARATHON RACE.

AN EXCITING FINISH.

WON BY AN AUCKLAND YOUTH.

The New Zealand Marathon race from Howick to Auckland, organised by and run under tho auspices of the Auckland Amateur Athletic Club, was decided on Saturday. It was a hot day, and to the men who had nominated for the 13 miles run over dusty roads it was the reverse of pleasant. The competitors, 22 of whom faced tho starter, had not. proceeded far before they were perspiring freely, the Southern competitors particularly feeling the effects of the heat. Added to the runners' discomfort from the heat was that, produced by the dust. Rain has not fallen now for five or six weeks, and the country roads were coated with inches of soft dust, in which round stones mingled. Away out near Howick, where there was but little traffic during the race, the dust was bad enough, but nearer home it rose in clouds, obscuring objects but a few yards distant. The runners must have been almost choked.

Auckland's long distance road race with the historical name was won by an Auckland youth of 18 years—G. N. Hill, the champion long distance runner last year at King's College, and it is a tribute to his grit and athletic ability that, he should have, after running third to two seasoned long distance runners . from the South for about half tho distance, overhauled them and maintained his lead, despite, determined challenges. Thousands of people lined the route to watch the runners pass. At, Howick the whole settlement turned out. to see the start. At Panmuro the crowd exceeded 1000. while at Ellerslie quite 2000 people were gathered between the railway station and the Harp of Erin Hotel. From thence into town tho road was lined on ■both sides. Women waved handkerchiefs to the runners, urging them on. Men also cheered the runners on. . At, Newmarket the crowd was dense enough to stop | tram traffic as the leading runners passed, while at the Newmarket bridge the members of the Rocky Nook and Carlton bowling teams were gathered, having forsaken the more sedate game of bowls to cheer the strenuous Marathonitos. I

At the Domain the crowd, which at three o'clock numbered some 3000, increased every minute, until at 4.50 there must have been fully 5000 present.- The crowd watched an excellent athletic programme of varied items with some impatience, and oac;orly awaited the first message of the race Ifrom the signallers. Tho smoke from grass and bush fires to the west occasionally obscured the sun, so that flags had to be used instead of the h-elio—a slower process. Tho first message was received with great applause, and then followed a succession of messages, the one announcing that Hill was leading being greeted with tremendous applause. From then on the time went slowly until the dull roar of traps and the distant " honk, honk " of motor horns announced that tho leading runners were in the Domain Drive. Hill's entrance from the Drive to the cricket ground was strangely impressive. The expectant crowd held its collective breath as the tired youth in white with head thrown back and strained features, came wearily towards tho stand. The change from the hot, hard road to the cool, green turf, with its slippery surface, caused him to falter in his stride, and in the mind of the crowd rose visions of Dorando's dramatic finish at -the great Olympic games at London. But Hill, though of necessity tired, was not exhausted, and came, on steadily. Before he reached the track proper Moore appeared through the gate, and then the crowd rose as one man and urged the Auckland youth to do his utmost to defeat the Southern rival, who was running stronger. Moore slightly decreased the gap but had to be content with second place, being beaten by' less than ICOyds. having to'fight his way through the crowd of men who rushed the ground after Hill finished. Hill was lifted up bodily by admirers, the excitement of those present being intense, and he was carried to the raised platform, where Mrs. Leo M. Myers placed on his! head the silver laurel wreath, emblematic of the prizes presented at the purest of amateur gatherings, the Olympic festivals of the Greeks " '"'•"- The .-/second man to finish. Moore, of Rakaia, and the third. L. J. Ornstein, of Auckland, were both highly complimented by Mr. Myers on their meritorious performances It is a noteworthy fact that of the 22 athletes who started no less than 16 completed the course, the last being 31 minutes behind the winner. Besides tho thousands of people who lined the roads and streets, the race was followed by people in and on every conceivable means of locomotion, from the huge 30 horse-power motor car to the Shetland pony.* Many were unable to keep pace with the : race, and it was perhaps as well, for as the city was neared vehicles simply poured out of every by-street or road. . "~ :' ~ The. programme of events on the Domain was a varied one, and quite out of the usual heavy style. The events of the afternoon included running, boxing, cycling, and Cornish wrestling. . The meeting was well managed, the slight"hitches being duo probably to this being tho first meeting held by the club for some time. Of the actual track work, the starting of Mr. Austin Smith was splendid, while Mr. Eyre's adjustments were- responsible for some exceedingly close finishes. The following were the officials for . the day:—Referee, Mr. H. Frost: judges, Messrs. Leo M. Myers, C. T. Major, F. J. Ohlson, and A. Plugge: timekeepers, Messrs. F. McManemin, Geo. Read, Jno. Russell, and A. S. White; starter, Mr. Austin Smith; clerk of ' course,' Mr. S. W. Somerfield; marshal, Mr. D. Gallaher; marksmen, Messrs. Geo. Donaldson, C. E. Hansen, and S. W. Somerfield; press steward, Mr. P. R. Fraser; result board stewards, Messrs. S. S. Doan, E. J. G. Grcville, and A. L. Shepherd ; starter, steward, and timekeeper for Marathon race, Messrs. J. TJ. Collins, J. E. Fagan, and A. Kohn; handicapper, Mr. W. B. Eyre; handicanpers for bicyclo events, Messrs. G. W. Holy and A. O. Ashton ; hon. megaphonist, Mr. R. Eagleton; hon. treasurer, Mr. M. J. Sheahan; hon. secretary, Mr. J. F. Maguire. Following are the results:— THE MARATHON. The competitors in the Marathon race were conveyed to Howick in brakes, arriving there in ample time to dress and rest before starting. The clothes of the competitors were sent on ahead by the brakes from Howick, and the men, after submitting to the ordeal of being photographed, were prepared by Mr. J. U. Collins (starter) and Mr. J. B. Pagan (a* steward) for the start of the long journey. The following sealed handicap was placed in the hands of the committee prior to the starting time of the race by Mr. W. B. Eyre (handicapper), and it will be noticed that Guy Haskins' start was not adjusted, owing to advice having been received that business would prevent him from being a competitor:—H. E. Darnv, M. Dickson, W. Keay, S. W. Moore, M. Mulcahy, C. F. Ornstein, L. J. Ornstein, E. W. Shanahan, W. A. Wilshaw, "W. Wilson, and F. Wilton, scr.; G. N". Hill. 455.; A. Rogers. 505.; P. W. Roope, lin.: L. Hill and L. E. Pegler, lm. 155.; G. P. Underwood, 1m.'305.: W. H. Copeland and J. Willott. lm. 405.: S. A. Shaw. lm. 505.; J. H. Tavlor and W. Trimble, 2m.; A. Twiname and M. T. Vibert. 2m. 10s.; F. Herring, 2m. 205.; F. W. Taylor and H. B. Crawford, 2m. 305.; F. Balneavis, C. G. Cake. T. Campbell, A. A. Duthie, R. J. Fen ton, F. T. Johnston. W. Murphv, C. Onie. J. Ross. G. Scagar. A. E. Spencer, R. A. Spinley and C. Stewart, 2m. 40s. The foregoing handicap was unknown to the men who had decided to compete in the race, and was to most of them a very small issue compared with winning the race outright. The time fixed for the start was 3.15 p.m.. and the following men were despatched 30s. later by Mr. Collins from outside the Howiclt Hotel:—Balneavis. Cake. Coneland, M. Dickson (Christchurch), G. N. Hill. Keay (BaJlarat, Victoria). Mulcahy (Wellington), Moore (Rakaia), Murphy, It. J. Orrißtein. C. F. Ornstein, Rogers, Ross, Shamthan (Christchurch), Snencer, J. H. Tavlor, Trimble, Underwood, Vibert. Wilshaw (Manchester, England), Wilton (Wellington), and Wilson. Almost immediately- after the start there was a steep rise of about 400vds. Wilson led over this, closely followed bv Mulcahy, the rest, with a couple of exceptions, beincr bunched. One of the official motor cars met with an accident, and the crew had to get to work on a puncture, while hnlf-a-mile further on a runabout had jibbed at a steep pinch. Several of the competitors were going at little more than a jog-trot. After a while one was lving by the roadside with his head on a-settler's knees, and another, about ft mile further on. was sitting in the shade of a friendly hedge. At the Star and Carter. Panmure, approximated five miles from the start, the times Dickson. 3h. 46m. 305.; Moore 3b. 47m. 10s.: Hill. 3h. 47m. 155.: Ornstein. 3b. 49m. 555.: Cake, 3h. 49m. 565.; Underwood, 3h. 50m. 155.; Mulcahy. 3h. 51m. 55.; Rogers and Trimble. 3h. 51m. 355.: Wilson, 3h. 52m. 5?.: Shnnahr*". 3h. s?m. 555; Coneland, 3b. 53m. 20«.; Wilton, 3h. 53m. 455.; Tavlor. 3h. 53m. 555.: Spencer, 3h. 54m. 30s. Ross; Murnhv. and Wilshaw were amongst others behind who were not timed. Moore at this stage was showing the best form, with Ornstein also running well. Dickson's stride was not so eas'-. although he maintained the lead. The first important, chancre came in + he race when Hill named Moore two miles from Fllerslie. A half-mile further on Dickson, while still leading, lav down for a rest, and Hill assumed the, lead, nnd mainlined it, to the finish. Passing the Kirn of Erin. F,ller»lie. the thre<= leadiner time* ware:— 4b. 7m. 22°. • Moore. 4h. 7m. 55".: Ornstein. 4h. ,11m. ■ Hi'l. escorted hy a lvTe cavalcade, increased his led of 333. at Ellerslie to 40s. at the Junction Hotel.

It was hero that Moore made his effort, and coming on strongly through Newmarket, got within 50yds of Hill- at the bridge, but it was noticeable that the uphill running affected him more than the leader. Once on the flat again he started to close up, but it was of no avail, and he entered the Domain about 150vds behind. He was apparently in the best best condition, for Hill's action appeared strained. Moore finished less than 100 yds behind Hill, who completed the course in the splendid time of lh. 18m., Moore's time being' Hi. 18m. 20s. Ornstein was third and Rogers fourth. The finishing times were:— G. N. Hill, 4h. 53m. 505. ; Moore, 4h. 53m. 505.; L. J. Ornstein. Ah, 38in.; Rogers. 4h. 40m.; Shanahan, 4h. 43m. 45a.; Cake. 4h. 47m.; Trimble, 4h. 47in. 155.: Dickson, 4h. 48m.; Taylor, 4h. 48m. 155.: Mnlcahy, 4h. 51m. 30s; Ross, 4h. 56m.; Balneavis. 4h. 56m. 155.; Wilson, 4h. 57m.; Murphv. 4h. 48m.; Wilton, sh. 2m. 305.; Wilshaw, sh. 4m. Hill wins the handsome silver laurel wreath presented by Messrs. Arthur and Leo Myers, and the first prize in sealed handicap, valued at .Co 3s. Moore takes, second in the sealed handicap, valued at .£2 2s. and L. J. Ornstein the third, value £1 Is. A. Rogers wins the special prize of a framed photographed enlargement of the starters for the first runner in not winning a prize. 75YDS HANDICAP. First heat: W. R. Dick. 55yds', 1; T. R. Wilson, 2yds. 2; O. Moore, sJvds. 3. Time, Ss. Second heat: T. A. Abbott. 4Jyds, 1; W. H. Colbock, 41ydg, 2; E. C. Heald, syds. 3s. Time. Bs. Third heat: 1). G. Saunders, 3yds, 1; H. L. Mowbray. 3*yds, 2; C. D. Cowan, IJyds. 3. Time, 8 2-sa. Fourth heat: G. S. Reid. 3yds, 1; J. J. Taylor, 3yds, 2: H. J. Howe. 4Jvds. 3. Fifth heat: R. R. Hamilton. 41yds. 1; R. Schoftold. 41yds. 2; F. J. Ticanor, lyd. 3. Time. Bs. Sixth heat: K. A. George.-4vds. 1; H. Winstone, ''■'yds. 2: A. W. Rowe, 2vds, 3. Time, 7 3-ss. •Seventh heat: C. V. Mark, 4H-ds, 1; L. E. Kerr-Taylor, s*yds. 2; H. G. Chevis. 51yds, 3. Time, 8s Pinal: K. A. George 4yds, and T. A. Abbott, 41yds--. dead heat. 1: 11. Winstone, 44yds, 3. Third man inches away only. Also smarted: Dick, Saunders, Reid, Hamilton, Mark. Time. 7 4-ss. ONE MILE BICYCLE HANDICAP. First heat: H. Griffiths. 65yds, 1: W. Lincoln, 85yds, 2: N. Wadman. 25yds, 3. Time, 2m. 29 4-ss. Second heat: T. Nicholson, 30yds, 1; W. WicKstead. 55vds. 2; C. Stewart, 70yds. 3. Time. 2m. 33 2-ss. Third heat: A. Flewellyn. 15yds, 1; 0. Herring, 120 yds, 2; O. Lockie. 35yds, 3. Time. 2iP. 32 3-ss. Fourth heat: K. Summers. 135 yds, 1; C. Mitchell, 40yds, 2; A. V. Pockerty. 20yds. 3. Time. 2m. 35 2-ss. Final: A. Flewellyn, 15yds. 1; G. Herring. 120 yds. 2: O. Leckie. 35vds, 3. Also started: W. Lincoln, N. utuiman. W. Wickstead, K. Summers, 'C. Mitchell, and A. Flewellyn. Won by 2yds. lyd between second and third. Time. 2m. 29 1-58. 100 YDS HANDICAP. For boys under 15 attending primary schools. D. Baxter. Nelson-street. 1; W. A. Manning. Devonport. 2; C. Nicholson. Newmarket. 3. . Also started: K. Bishop, C. M. Callinan. T. A. Salisbury, I. Goldstine, and S. W. Wynynrd. A magnificent start. Won by inches, inches also separating second and third men. Time, 12 2-ss. , 220 YDS HANDICAP. First heat: T. R. Wilson, 3yds. 1; L. E. Kerr-Taylor. 12yds, 2; C. D. Cowan. 3yds. 3. Time, 25 3-ss. Second heat: F. A. Abbott. 9yds. 1; T. R. Carter. Byds. 2; F. J. Treanor. lyd, 3. Time. 25 3-ss. Third heat: C. F. Burns. syds, 1; G. 8. Reid. 7yds. 2. Time. 23 5-ss. Fourth heat: E. A. George, 10yds. 1; D. G. Saunders. 7yds. 2; A. O. Butler. 12yds. 3. Time. 233. Final: E. A. George, 10yds. 1; F. A. Abbott. 9yds, 2; T. R. Wilson. 3yds, 3. Won by a yard, same distance between the second and third men. Also started: L. E. Kerr-Taylor, T. R. Carter. G. S. Reid, D. G. Saunders, A. O. Butler, and C. F. Burns. Time. 23 l-ss. 120YD3 HURDLES HANDICAP. First heat: R. R. Hamilton, scr., 1; F. S. Yates, scr.. 2;' E. Schofield, 3yds. 3. Time. 19 3-5?. Second heat: L. E. Kerr-Taylor, scr.. 1; H. C. Northcroft, owe 13yds, 2: A. O. Bntler, scr.. 3. Final: L. E. Kerr-Taylor, scr.. 1: R. R. Hamilton, scr.. 2; H. C. Northcroft, owe 13yds, 3. Also started E. Schofield and F. S. Yates. Won by a foot, same distance between second and third men. Time, 18 2-ss. 120 YDS MAIDEN HANDICAP. First heat: F. G. Kent, lyd. 1; W. CRotheram. 3yds. 2; H. H. Johnston, ljyds. 3. Time. 13 2-ss. Second heat: W. R. Dick. 2yds. 1; W. J. Salisbury. 3Jyds 2; T. R. Carter, scr.. 3. Time, 12 4-ss. Third heat E. Schofield. 3lyds. 1; C. V.» Mack, livds. 2; E. W. Oswald. 24yds, 3. Time. 12 3-ss. Fourth heat: 11. Winstone, Hvds. 1; F. A. Abbott, lyd. 2: H. J. Rowe. ljyds. 3. Time. 12 4-ss. Final: W. R. Dick. 2yds. 1: H. Winstone. l*yds- 2; W. J. Sansbnry. 3iyds. 3. Won by inches; same distance between second and third men. Also started: F. G. Kent. W. C. Rotheram. T. R. Carter. E. Schofield. C. V. Mark, and P. A. Abbott. 440 YDS HANDICAP (for Boys attending Secondary Schools). R. Pittar, 1: F. Carolan,' 2; A. V. Leeds. 3. Also started: F. W. Lang and J C. Whitney. Won easily. Time. 55 l-ss. MUSICAL CHAIRS ON BICYCLES. ;.. O. Leckie. 1: H. Flewellyn. 2, - - - -- 880 YDS RELAY RACE. For teams of fonr men from mercantile or manufacturing firms. ■ v Briscoe and Co. (Twiname. Endean. Foot*, and Dick). 1: Bank of New Zealand. 2: John Burns and Co., 3. Also started: It 11. Abbott and Co., Arch Clark and Sons. Great Northern Brewery, P. Ha*man and Co., Railway Workshops, and Bank of New South Wales. Won by 6yds. Time. lm. 42 2-ss. WRESTLING. CORNISH STYLE. Best of three falls. First Heat: H. McNeil heat G. Raynes. Final: H. McNeil beat W. Colledge. BOXING COMPETITIONS. First round: McNeil beat Cook on points at the end of third round. Crane also beat Shakelton on points, while Hogan boxed a bve with Webb, who was overweight. Semifinal: Crane won from Hogan on a foul in the second round. In this bout Crane dislocated his thumb. Dr. Ferguson attending to the injury. Final: Crane beat McNeil on point*. Crane had a great disadvantage in having to finish the competition with his injured thumb. Mr. Tom Brown referced. MARATHON NOTES. The gate takings at the Domain on Saturday are material evidence? of the revival of interest in amateur athletics in Auckland. The takings amounted to £197 10s. G. N. Hill, the- winner of the Marathon, is well, known locally for his fine performances in connection with, King's College sports. Ho ran. a mile at the recent meeting in 4m. 465., a performance worthy of the most seasoned runner. He has had the advantage of the experience and advice of Mr. J. E. Fagan, a college master. Mr. Pagan has won Irish distance championships. The officials of the Auckland Amateur Athletic Club should consider the question of sending Hill to Dunedin to competo on the 20th inst. in the New Zealand mile and throe mile championships. 8. W. Moore, of Rakaia, who finished second, when asked if the vehicles interfered with his chance, said he was perfectly satisfied with his treatment. The dust and traffic were inseparable from such a race. The course was a stiff one for'him, as he had boon used to flat country. The visiting athletes were taken for a harbour excursion yesterday by the Auckland Amateur Athletic Club, the steamer going outside Rangitoto reef. Some good fishing was obtained, over 100 fish, principally Kchnapper, being caught. During tho day Mr. F. .1. Ohlson, secretary of the Auckland centre, oppressed on behalf of Auckland athletes the pleasure thoy felt, at the visit "of the Southorn athletes to Auckland.