ATHLETES RETIRE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23405, 22 July 1939, Page 21

ATHLETES RETIRE

J. W. SAVIDAN AND J. B. NEIL BRILLIANT CAREERS ENDED Two of Auckland's and New Zealand's loading harrier and track athletes, J. W. Savidan and J, I. 13. Neil, have definitely retired from competitive running. Although they will not be competing in championship events, both of the runners will still take part in club outings. Savidan' has been competing in New Zealand for the past 17 years, while Neil has been prominent in harrier and track running for the past seven years, Savidan has an imposing list of successes. Ho has represented the British Empire 011 two occasions—at Chicago in 19J30 in a teams race against America alter the Empire Games,- and at San Francisco in 1932 after the Olympic Games. He has represented New Zeuland six times —at the Olympic Games in Los Angeles ilk* 1932, the British Empire Games at Canada in 1930, three times in Australia, and once in New Zealand. He won the live and six mile events at tho Empire Games in 1930, creating new Canadian ..times for tjio distances. These times are still records to-day. He has been New Zealand champion over various distances 011 17 occasions, at three miles seven times, at one mile three times and cross-country champion six times. Ho is the present provincial cross-country champion. Neil commenced harrier running with the Technical Club in 1932. In the following year the Presbyterian Club was formed and ho was club captain of that organisation for five years. In the Onehunga to Auckland annual road race Neil was first in 1937, second in 1938 nnd this season, while he secured third placing in 193-1 and 1936. Competing in tho Hound the Lake course at Takapuna, Noil returned the fastest timo two years running in 1937 and 1938. He won tho Savidan Cup race from Pakuranga- to Ellerslio in 1937 and 1938. He was selected as an Auckland representative in 1936, 1937 and last year. His best placingJll tlio provincial cross-country championship was fifth, which place ho filled in 1936 and 1938. " Champion of the Presbyterian Club for six years in Noil has three times been successful in the St. Andrew's Trophy race among Presbyterian clubs throughout New Zealand. During five, seasons on the track, Neil was .'five times Technical threemile champion. He was second in the provincial three miles track cliampionship in 1936, and at the New Zealand championships at. Auckland in 1937 he broke 15m for the distance with Murakosa, Savidan, Pullar and Geddes in'the field.