AMATEUR ATHLETICS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21493, 17 May 1933, Page 17

AMATEUR ATHLETICS

COMBINED HARRIER RACE RECORD FIELD COMPETES J. W. SAVIDAN IN TRAINING Harrier running in Auckland reached a new piano on Saturday when at Koliimarama 163 harriers from six different clubs turned out for the combined opening run of the season. The trail was laid over about six miles of very difficult country and the three packs were given an excellent trial. The slow pack lost the trail and did not complete the full course, but the intermediate and fast packs both went hard over the whole journey. There were some fine • runners included in the fast pack and this party maintained a good pace throughout. J. Nicholson lias joined Technical and appeared to be revelling in the hard going. Bradley, who was having his first run of the season, also showed good form. Sinclair shaped ..well and showed many of tho others a lot of points in both tho up and down-hill work. W. Briggs was running nicely, while Andrews, Whitmoro and Clayton, of Calliope, were also showing up. W. Pelham, who is one of Technical's hopes for this season, was in fine form and produced a great turn of speed to win the run-in for the fast pack. Two others who impressed were 0. White and W. Kedgley, both of whom have easy styles. Tho whole meeting was a great success and a combined opening run will now bo made an annual fixture. Races at the Domain At tho Domain the Auckland Club continued with its winter competitions and the fields in the different events were larger than ever. Starting from scratch Savidan had his first run of the season in the 2000 yds. steeplechase and although he did not extend himself at any stage and finished well back he easily recorded fastest time. This event was won by D. Mitchell from Batty and Allan. Three heats were necessary in the 75yds. handicap, tho final of which was won by J. A. Thompson by inches from Bridle and R. Wil'ley. Next Saturday the Auckland Club will hold events at the Domain again, while the various harrier clubs will hold trials in the different suburbs.

The winter cross-country season is now well under way and included in the three packs that start with each harrier club each week are many novices and even quite experienced harriers who have little knowledge of the correct methods of training. Many interesting and instructive books on training have been written by prominent overseas coaches and athletes, but in most cases they apply to athletes who belong to big clubs and have every facility for following a correct routine. For the New Zealander who has his work during the day and only a few hours at his disposal each morning and evening an entirely different method is necessary. The ages of tho runners range from about 18 years upwards and it is most important that tho younger men should not attempt too much at first, as cross-country running is a truly strenuous sport. Many a promising career has been spoilt through attempts by young runners to hold older and more experienced men in races across five or six miles of hard country. Twenty-two years or twenty-one at the earliest is quite soon enough for anyone to Btart real training for crosscountry racing. Hints lor Slow Pack The slow paok is comprised mostly of young runners and harriers who have a run each Saturday just for the sport of it and have really little interest in the actual racing. However, if these runners would do a little training that can be comparatively simple they could improve themselves and the general standard of the pack running by a big margin and some would undoubtedly find themselves soon in either the intermediate or fast packs. For this pack, therefore, an easy routine such as the following can be tried with almost certain beneficial effects. If the man turns out regularly each Saturday afternoon one good run during the week is all that is necessary, with light exercises each morning and evening for about 10 minutes at a time. The run can take place preferably on the Wednesday evening over a distance of about four to five miles and either cross-country or around the roads. The latter are not nearly as harmful to tho legs as many would imagine. By running on the flat of tho foot and not entirely on the toes, as many try to do, all stiffness can be avoided. The point against running ovsr country or in any of the various parks is that a heavy fog or mist is invariably rising and making the air too heavy* for the lungs for the heavy breathing to be of any benefit.

A good thing is to run the first mile, at least, just breathing through the nose, and to keep one's pace down so that it is possible to breathe without trouble. If starting and finishing the run from one's home, a lukewarm bath at the finish is tnost beneficial. If running at a park, have a quick cold shower and a vigorous rub and then a lukewarm hath before bed that night. Training night should be made a night at home, as it is folly to have a good run and a rub and then go out for the evening. Plenty of rest is the greatest thing out for an athlete in training. An easy style is a big thing in distance running and it is during training that a runner must learn to place his arms in an easy position and to run with an absolute minimum of effort. A sprint in over the last 100 yds. will help to sharpen a runner up. Another big point in running in the night air is to keep warm by wearing a good heavy sweater and long trousers.