FINE MILE RACE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23702, 9 January 1939, Page 11

FINE MILE RACE

BOOT’S CONVINCING WIN AUSTRALIAN RUNS THIRD BEST TAKES SPRINT EVENTS (Per United Press Association) .-WELLINGTON, Jan. 8. The One Mile Short Limit Handicap event was the highlight of the special athletic meeting on Saturday, at which the two Australians, Best and Backhouse, competed. In the two invitation sprints Best was poorly matched, but the Mile was the finest race seen at the Basin Reserve for years. The Canterbury and New Zealand half mile champion, V. P. Boot, won in 4min 14 3-ssec, one second slower than R. A. Rose’s 1926 New Zealand record time. W. A. C. Pullar, the former national Mile champion, was second and Backhouse was third.

The crowd of more than 6000 was reminiscent of the heyday of athletics in, Wellington. The track was in ' splendid order, and the weather conditions, apart from a gusty northerly, "were good. . ' Best was not opposed in the sprints ' hv G. Quinn, Wellington, the New Zealand champion, and the other Wellington sprinters were not up to the Australian’s standard. In the 100 Yards .Best ran with the field till 25 yards from the tape, when he shot away with an amazing burst to win by four yards .from Eastwood. Eastwood ran second to the Australian also in the Furlong, in .which Best held the lead all the way, , and increased it after the turn into the straight. His time was equal to the New Zealand record. Eastwood finished strongly. The Mile Event Besides the-three scratch men, the : Wellington runners, Mackay, Bourgeois and Mostyn, started in the Mile, all off 50 yards. They were 40 yards ahead after the first lap, when the order of the scratch men was Pullar, Backhouse. Boot, a yard separating ■ them in each case. The gap was re- ■ duced to 15 yards at the half-mile. Backhouse had the quickest stride, but both Pullar and Boot were running

easily. Pullar was making the pace, having run the first quarter in 62sec and the half in 2min 7jsec. After the third lap had been covered by Pullar in 3min 14sec Backhouse seemed to be affected, bv the pace, but Boot was showing no strain. After 150 yards in the final lap Backhouse quickened his pace, but the other two stayed with him. With 150 yards to go. Boot astonished the crowd by shooting away from the others without any apparent effort. Backhouse was unable to cope with such a burst of speed, but Pullar still had an effort left, and passed the Australian. who finished slowing up. Pullar’s time was 4min 17Jsec. The national javelin champion. S. Lay, of Hawera. competed in his event. He reached 183 ft 9in against the wind, and with it threw 196 feet. Detailed Results The results were as follows: — 100 Yards Invitation Scratch Race E. Best (Australia) 1 J. Eastwood (University) 2 A. Welply (Wairarapa) 3 Also started: C. Robinson (Kiwi), W. Fulton (Wellington), J. D. A’Court (Rongotai College). Won by three yards and a-half. Time. 10 l-ssec. One-mile Short-limit Invitation Handicap V. P. Boot (Canterbury), scr .. .. 1 W. A. C. Pullar (Masterton), scr .. 2 G. Bffckhouse (Australia), scr Also started: A. Mackay (Wellington), E. Mostyn (Wellington), A. Bourgeois (Wellington)—all 50yds. Won by 20 yards, 10 yards between second and third. Time, 4min 14 3-ssec. 220 Yards Invitation Scratch Race E. Best (Australia) 1 J. Eastwood (University) 2 C. Robinson (Kiwi) 3 Also started: W. Fulton (Wellington). Won by five yards. Time, 21 3-ssec. Throwing the Javelin D. L. Bade (,60ft), 199 ft lOin .. .. 1 S. A. Lay (scr). 183 ft 9in .. .. 2 C. Curtis (50ft), 182 ft 2in . . .: .. 3