AMATEUR ATHLETICS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22619, 6 January 1937, Page 15

AMATEUR ATHLETICS

TRAINING INTERRUPTED RESULT OF WET WEATHER TRACKS IN SLOW CONDITION Tho wot weather during Christmas and the New Year could scarcely have been more detrimental to tho training of Auckland athletes, the majority of whom were just beginning to acquire their correct form. In an eflort to retain their condition until the weather again permits of a regular outdoor routine, most of the athletes have been doing indoor work hut, although this is most helpful, it is far from being as beneficial as the daily track training. Tho provincial championship meeting is not far oil' and it is to be hoped that, when the present spell of wet weather is over, all athletes will resume their training rigorously in Order to make up for the time that has been lost. Most of the tracks have been rendered very slow during the past few days. The Domain, Carlaw Park and the (iranunar School ground are \erv sluggish order for this time of the season, but it will require only two or three days' sun on them to restore them to their fastest condition. The Lynndale Club's clay track which, owing to its smooth surface, collects pools of water, is also in a poor state, hut it, too, will soon be ready for hard racing when a spell of line weather arrives. The Auckland Centre's decision to carry out a relay and teams' championship meeting at Carlaw l'ark on .January has beOjii welcomed by all clubs. The large programme of *J.S events, comprising senior, junior and ladies' contests, will he decided, and each competition will carry provincial championship honours. A shield has been donated for the club securing the highest aggregate points. If the meeting, which is a trial one for New Zealand, is a success, it is the centre's intention to make the fixture an annual one.

AN OUTSTANDING CAREER PERFORMANCES OF C. E. EVANS In his bid to regain his former undisputed position as New Zealand middle-distance champion, C. E. Evans, of Tailiapc, is making another successful "comeback." He revealed a great deal of his brilliant form of two or three seasons ago in a half-mile event at the annual meeting between the Wellington and Wanganui Amateur Athletic Clubs, at Cook's Gardens, Wanganui. Evans intends to concentrate upon the mile, but it is possible that, if his form at 880 yards is good enough, he may endeavour to recapture tlie national title he won at this distance when he made his first "comeback" in 1935. Evans' career has been a notable one. When at the top of his form in 1930 and 1931 he was easily the most outstanding middle-distance runner in the Dominion He won national titles at 440 yds. in 1931, 880 yds. in 1930, 1931 and 1935, and one mile in 1930, his figures for the last-named event, 4m 23 2-ss. being at the time the best returned for the distance at a NewZealand championship meeting. In addition, he is co-holder with I). (J. Anderson, of Christehurch, of the national half-mile record of ltn 54 4->s, a time which he registered at Wanganui in 1931, while he is also a former holder of the 1000 yds. record of 2ni 18 1 -/3s, made when he defeated Leo Lermond, of America, in 1930, _ ami which stood until reduced to 2m 15 l-5s bv T. G. Broadwav, of Canterbury, in 1934.