HARRIER RACING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23994, 18 June 1941, Page 4

HARRIER RACING

GIIEAT EASTERN EVENT SEVERE TEST FOR RUNNERS SEASONED ATHLETES PLACED Eighty harriers took part in the Great Eastern road race, of s'j miles, from Pakur:\nga to Ellerslic. last Saturday. Several clubs were unable to enter athletes because of reduced membership. The gruelling test brought new runners to the fore, although most of the major ulacings were gained by seasoned athletes. The lons series of successes bv the liViincbile Club was continued, I his club again winning the teams' race, defeating University by the narrow margin of two points. These clubs were also first and second respectively last >ear. In the junior section the Baptist Clu ■ had an overwhelming victory, its young representatives running very impressi\elv against seniors. "he provincial cross-country champion, A. Browne, of Lynndale, several limes an Auckland representative itinner, took the lead after about a mile, and was never headed, winning by about 100 yards, lie appears to retain all the form that won him the Ihrcc most important barrier races last year, namely, the Onehunga-Auckland road race, Ihe ten-men teams' race, and the provincial championship. The second harrier to finish, ('. Applcton, of Ellerslie. has just been promoted from junior to senior rank, and has made an auspicious beginning, lie was runnerup in the junior- provincial championship last year, and has improved steadily since be commenced racing. 11 is future as a successful runner appears assured. The Presbyterian dinner .1. 1. B. Neil, a past winner of this '•ace. finished third, runnine. as usual, a sterling race. Never in a hurry at the start. Neil always waits until the field has settled down, when he commences to forge through to the front. A greatly improved and very meritorious performance was that of G. Long, of Technical, who. by finishing fourth, takes his place anion'-' ihe leading harrier 'miners of Auckland. Tie is an atiilele of greit stamina who will undoubtedly become more prominent with experience. The finest rare of the day was that of ihe Mi-year-old Baptist junior. .1. Christie who finished first ■ n Ihe junior set linn and eighth in the senior. Five and a-hall miles over ronrrefc, hilly road, competing against seniors, is rather i gruelling !es! iV one so young, and Christie, would be well arhised nol to (triage too often in «urh a test, lie outstripped his clubmnles. J. Xacey and K. Willmott. both of whom, however, ran outstandingly. The principal Universitv representative. A. G. Kofoed. who is New Zealand University cross-country champion, rinished fifth, a very good placing, although no' quite his usual. His health was undermin r d recently by bad food provided upon a prison ship where ho was captive a short time ago. Another University representative of whom more will undoubtedly bo heard in the near future is Q. Thompson. In bis second year only as a harrier, be finished tenth in the race, nfler lagging badly at the beginning and for soma miles. A finely-built. strong-striding athlete, he conveys the impression of great power in reserve. The Lynndale representative, O. Young, gave another fin* 1 exhibition of steady and determined running, finishing strongly in sixth place and being Ihe second Lynndale runner home. If. Burt, of Technical, and F. Orange, of University, both *oung runners of much promise, wv.n seventh and ninth respectively.