HARRIERS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22904, 11 June 1936, Page 4

HARRIERS

WELL-KNOWN ATHLETE’S DEATH The death occurred on Tuesday of Mr Alexander Mann, who was one of Otago’s most prominent distance runners a few years ago. He was a member of the Leith Harrier and Amateur Athletic Club for many years, and subsequently ran for Caversharn, and in both clubs he not only showed outstanding ability as a crosscountry runner, but valuable qualities as an administrative official. He was runnerup in the Otago Cross-country Championship on one occasion, and was frequently well placed in this event, as well as in other cross-country races of importance on many occasions. He_ was a member of Otago’s winning team in the New Zealand Cross-country Championship at Christchurch a few years ago, and represented the province on a number of other occasions. Mr Mann, who was the eldest son of Mr and Mrs Alexander Mann, leaves a wife and young child, to whom the svmpathy of those connected with amateur athletics in Otago will be extended.

THE OLYMPIC STEEPLECHASE The Olympic Steeplechase is not to be confused with the hurdle races, says Hans Borowik, writing from Berlin. The Olympic Games programme always includes two hurdle races over distances of 110 and 400 metres respectively, but also has a steeplechase over a 3000-metre course, and it is to this last event that these remarks refer. In accordance with the international rules governing this race, on each lap of the course there are five jumps to be taken, consisting either of hurdles or hedges of a height of 91 centimetres. The water-jump, which specially characterises this race,, and from which it derives its name, is 3J metres wide, its deepest point being immediately behind the 76-centi-metre hedge, whence it gradually gets shallower until it is level with the ground. Reading through the list of winners in former Olympic Games, the discovery is soon made that before the war this event was almost entirely in the hands of the English and the Americans. On the other hand, since the war. Finland has seemed to have won the Steeplechase with its Well-known long-distance runners. Who will win the Steeplechase at the Berlin Olympics in 1936? A number of countries possess a string of first-class runners for this strenuous event. Finland is particularly strong, with Iso-Hollo, the Olympic champion at Los Angeles in 1032, and beside him, Toivonen, Hoeckcrt and Loukola, who are all about equally good. Although Iso-Hollo is no longer as young as he was. he has enormous endurance powers, so that it can be counted on that he will go to the starting line this summer in just as good form as he showed four years ago in sunny California. Sweeten, in all probability, will be represented by Liiulgren, Larsson, and Eriksson. American pins its hopes oh M'Cluskey, who, by the way, has already been in- Europe. The stocky American was also at Los Angeles, so that in him is another “old-timer.” England is counting on Bailey and Ginty. The Italian steeplechase specialist goes by the name of Lippi, while France thinks that its Rcrollc has a fair chance. It is almost impossible to form an estimate of Japan’s steeplechasers, but from all accounts, with their national champion Imai at the head, they will put some good talent in the field. The German runners have not yet arrived at the point where they can be classed with the champions, but they are undoubtedly much better now than they _ were four years ago. The Gorman national champion in 1035 was Willy Heyn, of the “Gymnastic and Sporting League of 1860 ” in Munich, while Holthnis, of Hamburg, though he fell at the water jump in last year’s championship races, is just about as good. There always remains the possibility that between now and the opening of the athletic season new talent will come to the front both in Europe and America and Japan, though it is 'certain that many of the names mentioned in this article will enter the Berlin Games this summer.

LEITH The first sports meeting of the Leith Club will be held on Saturday, and should provide an enjoyable afternoon’s sport. With the advent of several_new members from other clubs, competition will be keener than usual. The Mile will be the chief event, and the winner is hard to foretell. E, Reid, R. MTiinlay, G. Markham, and S. Anderson should be among the back-markers, but the middle handicap men will make things interesting. The 440 Yards Handicap should also be a good race. A. Murray and G. Annishaw will have to move to catch the limit men. The jumps usually attract good entries, and I. Harding, G. Armishaw, and A. Leckic should be prominent. The new members are always liable to spring a surprise, however, and it is hoped that they perform well.

CIVIL SERVICE A general all-round improvement in times registered in the Railway Cup last Saturday was no doubt helped by the ideal running conditions when 45 runners faced the starter, Mr H. J. C. M'Kenzie. J. Hollands is to bo congratulated on his win. Having made a careful preparation, he ran a confident race, also registering third fastest time. Hollands also has a first and second placing in the Five-mile Anderson Cup Road Race, and while he produces his best on a road course, his inclusion in the Kennett Cup team for Christchurch on Saturday is well merited. G. M'Kerscy ran a splendid race tor second placing, and while he could not hold the winner, has proved that he has the ability to improve beyond hie own expectations. M. M'Kinnon, third, ran a race out of the box, the manner in which he raced the field over the stiffest section of the course showing remarkable stamina tor his light build. His inclusion in the Kennett Cup team should encourage him to persevere. The promising junior, I. Herbison, winner of last year’s race, put up a fine run in fourth placing. A. R. Geddes registered fastest time, and was only eight seconds outside the course record, and should run a still better race over the Kennett Cup course. C. A. Broad, second fastest time, ran a great race over the last mile, and dropped his co-marker, S. Asher, very smartly. Both these men may be expected to acquit themselves with credit on Saturday. . J. G. Barnes did not compete seriously on Saturday, but his racing at Christchurch will be interesting, as he is in good fettle. L. C. M'Lachlan was not available, and did not exert himself to any extent. While many may have been disappointed in Captain Gerken’s performance, his effort over a road course was good. He posseses a rather high leg action, more suitable for the track, but A. Brown has a splendid action, but showe an unaccountable lack of stamina. He has plenty of determination, but is rather disappointing in races. Considering the preparation lie has made ]). E. Miller went well over the closing stages and had he elected to make use of his handicap would have been further up in the placings. Many runners on good marks either pulled out or made little attempt to race. This does not improve the , individual standard and for one man to encourage others to pull out after covering a short distance is of little benefit to those concerned or himself. The Half-mile Race for juniors was a fast run event, and the winner, M. Collins, displayed excellent racing judgment and did not heed the fast pace set by the limit markers, being content to make his bid at the right time. If C. Walker’s performance for second is any indication, he has a bright future ahead. W. Lucas, no doubt feeling the effects of a football match, ran a solid race for third. It

would be in his own interests to concentrate on one sport as it is far from beneficial to crowd too much into one day. A little attention to his style would help.

ANGLICAN , The Anglican Club held its run from the North-East Valley School, a good muster turning out. The fast pack, under Road Captain Divers, put in some good, hard work. It was pleasing to see W. Walker out again, and with a few week* of mere hard training, will be a very hard man to beat iu the club’s Threemile Race. S. T. Allen was running very easily, and as he is going to Christchurch to compete in the Kennett Cup, it should be a good try-out for him prior to the Edmond Cup. Harrier Captain L. J. Logan was In charge of the slow pack, and from the start he gave the juniors and other members a good training run. In the juniors W Ashby shows distinct promise, and with good coaching he should make the club’s junior C.C. an interesting race.

J. W. Clulee was running very easily and judging by the way he won the Novice Mile he will also be hard. Stewart, M'Dermott and Randle are juniors who improve with every run, and more will be heard from them. All the juniors have now started training, and by the time the club’s Junior C.C. is run there should be some keen competition.

CAVERSHAM The fast pack put in some (food, solid work on Saturday last. The run from the Green Island School is one of the best of the season, as some of the best harrier country is within easy reach. R. Knox was out on Saturday after an absence of several weeks. He is going well, and would be an asset to the team if he developed more keenness. Several of the medium pack were doing some team work around the water race at one stage of the run. and were moving in good style. G. Watson is running much better. After being well up all the run, he headed the slow pack home. F. Brown was always to the fore in the slow pack, and is a good stayer once he settles down. After an absence from harrier running for over two years. E. P. Brown was out once again. He should not find it hard to regain his old keenness and form and once again take his place in big races.

ST. KILDA The club's annual reunion was held on Saturday last, and proved a very enjoyable fixture. Ex-members and present members combined in a run in the afternoon controlled by ex-members, and this was followed by a social hour in the Savoy. The attendance of 35 was not as (rood as last year, but the function did not suffer on this account. Among those present were two of the original members of the club, and it was interesting to hear them recall some of the club’s activities in 1907. The function also served the purpose of enlightening present members on the club’s history, which compares more than favourably with any other club in Dunedin. The afternoon’s ' run was very easy going for the present members, but it would do them no harm as most of the younger members have been training fairly hard for some months. Next Saturday the clubs Three Mile Open and Junior Handicaps will be held at St. Hilda. Members are asked to note that the races are timed to commence at 2.30 p.m. With the majority of members training regularly and r in view of the , bearing these races will have on the selection of the club’s Edmond Cup team, d keen and close, competition is expected. The handicaps are not yet known, but it is probable that the backmarker s will be Cope for the juniors, and Dickison, Lumb, and' Still for the seniors. Beatson, A/ Carter, and MTntyre are now in good form and might easily turn the tables on the scratch men. . . , Cope will require to be in hie best form to overtake Clarke, Crimp, Middlemiss, and Eraser. These lads _ are improving from week to week and will be all out to break the tape first on Saturday. . At present, everything points to this season's races being more keenly contested than for some years, and it is hoped that there will be a good attendance ot officials and supporters.

MORNINGTON A record field of 28 faced -he starter in the Mornington Club’s One-mile Handicap at St; Kilda on Saturday. Even allowing for the adverse conditions under which this race was held last year, the fact that 14 of the field equalled or bettered the fastest time in last year s race shows the general standard of improvement. Owing to the fact that the first 15 men finished within 10. seconds, the officials had an unenviable task in sorting out times and places. The place-getters— Lamb. Moore, W. Hanley, and Thomson—are all new members this year, and as the first three are still juniors they _ should greatly strengthen club teams in the near future. Fastest time _ went to Roxburgh (4min 56sec), who, with Hall (4min 57sec) and Munro (4min 58sec), shares the honour of breaking the previous best timO for this course set up by Mullm in 1934. Crooke (smin ssec) was next in order of times, and he, no doubt, would have done better if he had not tried to keep up with Roxburgh m the early stages of the race. Pullar and Wilson (smin 7sec) ran exceptionally fine races, while M’Morran (smin 9sec) and W. Taylor (sniin lOsec) also put up their best performances over this distance. T. Burton was moving along in fine style over the first half when he faded; as club captain. it is hoped he will bo available for the Edmond Cup team. Callister’s effort of Srain Ssec was disappointing in view of the fact that he must be considered the finest miler the club baa possessed. His poor showing can only be attributed to lack of training, and if he is to justify the hopes placed in him for- the Edmond Cup Race he will have to work hard during the nest month. A. Taylor was expected to have been further up, but should not be discouraged, as he was rather severely treated in the matter of handicap in this, liis first race. Others who disappointed were Kroon, Everett, Miller, Jones, and Martin, and as the first three will have to be considered for junior team honours it is hoped they will show to better advantage over the two miles. Tennent, G. Hanley, and W. Wallace all ran good races, though not managing to get up among the place-getters.