AMATEUR ATHLETICS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20901, 17 June 1931, Page 15

AMATEUR ATHLETICS.

HARRIER CLUB'S CONTESTS. BAD WEATHER CONDITIONS. ' RUNNERS DEFEAT CYCLISTS. The steady rain 011 Saturday afternoon made conditions difficult, for all branches of sport, but nonei found circumstances worse than tho members of tho different harrier clubs which conducted runs over rough country. The main event, between the Auckland and University Club runners and the Auckland Club cyclists, proved an interesting contest, although, owing to tho conditions, tho cyclists were unablo to hold tho leading runners. However, there was a margin of only 28 points between the totals of the first 12 men in each team to finish. On tho samo course on a fino day tho positions would most probably bo reversed.

Steady rain fell during tho best part of the race, but a good pace was kept over the whole of the seven miles. Over tho last threo miles S\vidan and Cooper drow away from the rest of tho fiold and over the final milo tho latter created a big surpriso by going away from Savidan. Only ten yards separated the pair whon tho final quarter-mile round tho racecourso was commenced, and over this distance a close strugglo ensued. Cooper held his lead to win by about five yards. J. Nicl olson put up a fine performance in running third. Ho is lightly built and over tho rough country in tho first four miles ho was moving very freely, it was only on the lonj; roads that Cooper and ■Savidan wero able to outpace him. A. B. Browno ran well with tho leaders until tho clay road was reached. Ho was at a great disadvantage, as he was wearing sandshoes, and ho gradually lost his position. Francis, a runner, and Hall, tho first cyclist, had a great tusslo for fifth position, the latter winning by inches. Cyclists then filled the next six places, but with six Gunner:; in tho next eight positions tho issuo was placed beyond doubt. Both the Technical and Calliopo harriers held long runs, tho former at Mount Wellington and tho latter at Birkenhead. Good form was shown all round in tho heavy conditions and each club is confident of placing strong teams in the field for inter-club races. A new man, 11 arte, of the Calliope Club, created a good impression. The Auckland Club will continue its competitions at tlm Domain noxt Saturday. The University Club will run two races, probably at Western Springs, one for novices and. one for veterans, and tho Technical Club will hold a race at Mission Bay.

The Calliope Club will entertain tho Hamilton llariier Club on Saturday and tho annual intsr-club race will take place over u miles course. l,ast year S. Andrews, of Calliope, finished first, but the teams race was won by Hamilton. The date of tho road race from Onehunga to tho Ferry Buildings has been fixed for July 18. Tho original course has been slightly altered and the runners, after passing through Newmarket, will proceed toward Par noil and down St. Stephen's Avenuo to the waterfront road, where there will be a full mile straight in which to finish.