HARRIERS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21986, 22 June 1933, Page 4

HARRIERS

CIVIL SERVICE In view of the forthcoming Port Road Race a club run was held by Civil Service last Saturday from the Albany Street School over the course to St. Leonards and back. Cyril Walker has not been able to devote much time to training this season, but, nevertheless, he is very fit. Walker put up some very fine performances in road racing last year in finishing sixth in the Port Road Race and in winning the club’s Anderson Cup Five Mile Road Race. G. T. M'Kersey is beginning to approach fitness and will probably give a good account of himself next week. It is doubtful if E. L. Rotting ■ will be a starter in the race. The Kennett Cup team which travelled to Christchurch last week-end performed satisfactorily, retaining the trophy by winning the Teams’ Race with 20 points in hand. L. C. M'Lachlan turned the tables on J. G. Earues, defeating the Olliver Cup holder in a close finish. M'Lachlan has indulged only in light training this year, and is fitter than he has ever been in previous winters. J. G. Barnes is one who keeps his form wonderfully, but even the best have to go under at times. His effort, however, was a good one, as was that of E. E. Brown, who occupied third place. A. R. Geddes has been right off form for two or three weeks, but he ran quite well under the circumstances, filling thirteenth place. G. F. Garbutt, who was sixteenth, was unable to qualify for a teams’ medal. A. M. Kirkwood had the misfortune to strain his back before the race, but twentieth position was a good effort fhr so young a. runner. MORNINGTON Last Saturday Mornington ran undivided. The start was from the Wakari School, and, although it is difficult to find a well-varied trail in that neighbourhood, the members all _ enjoyed the outing, The greasy condition of the ground made the going doubly hard, and when the pace was on if was responsible for much -wallowing. Those hoping to obtain places in the cross-country team would benefit by a few more such runs preparatory to commencing more serious tasks to fit them for the big event. E. Mullen, who was first home, continues to show good form, and although he will be up against stiff opposition in the junior event he should be within striking distance at the finish. T. Kennedy, who finished close on Mullen’s heels, is a young runner who has already created an impress’on and will bear watching. None of the Mornington champions were optimistic enough to enter for, the Port Road Race this year. NORTHERN Northern held a very enjoyable run fi’om the Cavcrsham Methodist Church last Saturday. There was a fair amount of road work as well as cross-country work done. The club’s only entry for the Port Road Race will be Frank Harkness, and, as he is running very well just now. he should be well up at the finish.' A. Jackson has been doing some serious training lately, and will be a man to be watched in future club events. One or two of the first-year members —namely, N. Jefferson and J. Bolitho—are showing some shape and seem to be enjoying the runs. B. Haugh is in training now, and will be an asset in the club’s .junior cross-country team. R. Stephen, J. Lothian,' F, Harkness, I, Armishaw, and G. King will also be probable members of. this team. ST. PATRICK’S The St. Patrick’s. Club’s combined run with the Dunedin Club from the Valley was a very enjoyable fixture. Though conditions overhead were ideal, the (ming underfoot was treacherous. The Port Road men of each club formed a eepa- 1 rate pack, and had a strenuous run from St. Leonards back to town. The probable club starters in Saturday’s Port Road Race are:— F. Hall, T, Robertson, and B. Brown. The last-named is having his first attempt at this event, and all three are capable of better performances on tbe road than across country. J. Purton was out last Saturday for his first run this season. 'When fit, he, is n determined performer over a distance. F. Byrne and D. Prain also made their reappearance. The former ran a surprisingly good fourth in the Three-mile Handicap, two years ago with practically no training, and if he would settle down to regular training with his brother he would make hiq presence felt'in the forthcoming Five-mile Championship. UNIVERSITY Although University will not be entering a full team in the Port Road Race, there will be individual entries by members keen to have the run. As the Canterbury College harrier team will be coining down with the football team in the first week of July, University Harriers are training hard for the South Island. Interuniversity Cross-country Race. It has been suggested that the race should start and finish at Logan Park, but whether or not this is remains to be seen. In the Kennett Cup Steeplechase held last Saturday Canterbury College’s team was the first Christchurch team to finish, which tends to show that Otago University will have to look to its laurels if the “hat trick is to be performed this year. The teams ought to be more evenly matched this year, and certainly the season before lasts result will not be repeated, when all of Otago’s men came home ahead of Canterbury’s. HANOVER BAPTIST The team that represented the Baptist Club in the Edmond Cup Race was not as strong as usual, and therefore it can be better understood why the team did not {jain any honours. ' The fact that the first man finished in the sixties demonstrates what lack of training means. It was pleasing last Saturday to see out one of the club’s original members, G. Austin, who was a stalwart in the club’s infancy. W. Sivertsen, J. Ellis, and W. Harman will never benefit themselves or anyone else if they make a practice of lagging behind. E. Kelly and H. Campbell, although old members of the club, are still in their teens, and it is about time they showed to better advantage in competition. W. Woodbury is jogging with the slow pack in preparation for the shorter distances. Deputy-captain G. M. Moggett should be in good fettle for the club’s Five-mile. He is always capable of running a determined race.