ATHLETICS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23118, 18 February 1937, Page 4

ATHLETICS

By Amateur

FIXTURES February 20.—Otago Centre's short limit meeting, at the Caledonian Ground. February 27.—Otago track and field championships, at the Caledonian Ground. March 12 and 13.—New Zealand track and field championships, at Auckland. THE SOUTHLAND MEETING It was unfortunate that the annual Southland track and field amateur championships held at Invercargill last Saturday were marred by a heavy track and rough weather. Large entries were received for all events, however, and the standard of performance, generally speaking, was in keeping with a championship meeting. No particularly fast times were recorded, but this is not to be wondered at in view of the trying conditions for all the athletes. Apparently the weather had its effect on the public attendance, too, for a larger number of spectators have been present at this meeting in former years than was the case on Saturday, Otago athletes were well recompensed for making the trip, and between them they collected a number of titles. T. Allen, the Anglican man, who won the 880 Yards championship in the good time of 2mm 4 l-ssec, registered one of the best performances of the meeting. Throughout the race Allen revealed a

pleasing style, and was never extended at any stage. Over the last 200 yards of the distance he ran very strongly, finishing 30 yards ahead of W. L. Miller (St. Paul’s). It is particularly pleasing to see that Allen is maintaining the high standard which gained him a place in the Otago team last year. He’ runs with an easy stride and has a good style. Furthermore, he is an athlete deserving of success, for he does his training regularly and seriously. Later in the afternoon Allen helped the Anglican team to success in the One Mile Medley Relay Championship. Another of Otago’s present-day foremost athletes, W. A. C. Pullar, was again to the fore, and he had little difficulty in winning the three-mile event. Pullar also ran in the Mile Medley Relay Championship. The defeat of the New Zealand 100 Yards champion, B. L. Tapley, in the 100 Yards and 220 Yards, both of which he won last season, occasioned a big surprise. Tapley has not shown his best form recently, but it was thought he would have improved sufficiently to make his presence felt. In the 100 Yards he filled third place, his clubmate, H. D. Ramsay, beating him for second place by a foot. The winner of this event, W. J. Atley (St Paul’s) should prove a dangerous competitor at the Otago championships. In the 220 Yards Championship Tapley had to be content with second place, being again beaten by Ramsay, It was an exciting race throughout, but Tapley faded over the last 10 yards, leaving Ramsay to win by a clear yard. Ramsay has stamped himself as being the most improved sprinter in Dunedin, and at the Otago championships he should prove one of the most difficult men, to beat; An interval of a fortnight can, however, bring about many changes and by the time the Otago championships are to be held Tapley may yet surprise his opponents by striking the form which he produced to gain the title, New Zealand 100 yards’ champion. R. E. Naumann did not reveal his best form in the 440 Yards and filled only third place. The junior championships provided some keen competition, and C. M’Gregor (Anglican) gave a good performance to win the 100 Yards in Usee.

CIVIL SERVICE CHAMPIONSHIPS Although fields in the Civil Service championships were small in the various events., there was a higher standard of performance shown. J, M'Lachlan has registered good times over the hundred, and his winning of the Club Championship in 10 2-ssec was a fifth better than H. J. Tyrie’s run last year under similar conditions. M'Lachlan should prove a serious contender for Otago honours this year. A. R. Geddes is at the top of his form, and he was well placed in the Half-mile. He won the Mile in fair time, and, incidentally, his second placing to W. A. C. Pullar’s win in the 4min 18sec mile was the best mile of liis career. While club members are enthusiastic over the running of A. R. Geddes they are Jubilant over the success of the Otago athlete, W. A. C. Pullar, in registering such excellent judgment in lap times during his brilliant run. Members congratulate Pullar and wish him still greater success. J. Gerken is always to the fore, and success generally caps his efforts whether in sprinting, hurdling. Jumping or field events. S. Longworth is a keen track man and an alert executive officer. The placings he gained in the championships were well deserved. R. M'Lachlan and C. A. Broad have been placed and should be in good form for the Otago meeting. J. Gilchrist has raised the standard of Jumping, and should be a valuable points winner for Civil Service, Both in the Broad Jump and Hop, Step, and Jump he showed a big improvement on last year, creating new records which were not allowed owing to a following wind. Better fields among the Juniors provided some keen competition, and A. M'Cartney showed good judgment and ability. M'Cartney should be encouraged to take an active interest in track racing. W. Lucas, the King’s High School representative, who gained individual honours and secured the most points for the Junior shield at the secondary schools' championships, was a consistent starter, and, while his judgment is a little at fault, he has every indication of developing into a champion. F. Wheeler has shown glimpses of real ability at various meetings ,and a more serious and active participation in field events would produce good results. With a stronger temperament, J. Anderson would bo a more reliable field athlete. Anderson has shown a decided improvement in all departments of field athletics this season. BLACK CHAMPIONS They must have some pretty good natural runners in Abyssinia if the experience of J. Valente, crack Italian walker, is any indication. Valente, who was stationed in Adowa with the Italian forces, arranged, just to kill time, sprints for the native populace. At first he was not particularly precise in the taping out of the 100 metres track, but he soon found out that the barefooted youth he had “taught” to run achieved unexpected times. Then he measured carefully the terrible track, a stretch of a rough path, and he timed the runners by the help of a stop watch and with the assistance of two friends. The start was indicated by a shot with a live cartridge. In one of the many races no fewer than four men finished in a dead heat in llscc—i.e., about 10 2-sscc for the

.100 yards. It must be kept in mind that the sprinters had never had anything like training, were running on a bad track, and as regards competition, well, they did not even know what the running was about. Every race resulted in a dead heat. Valente had the impression that the runners did not want to leave the others behind.