AMATEUR ATHLETICS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23707, 14 January 1939, Page 9

AMATEUR ATHLETICS

INTERNATIONAL RUNNERS An eagerly-anticipated meeting will be staged by the Otago Centre of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association at the Caledonian Ground this afternoon, when the famous international distance men—V. P. Boot, Gerald Backhouse, and W. Pullar —will again fight out the Mile Invitation event, in which several other runners of quality will be appearing. The race in Wellington last Saturday has been described as one of the most classic events ever held there, and there is every reason to believe that the return meeting will provide just as many thrills, and possibly see R. A. Rose’s New Zealand record of 4mm 13 3-ssec shattered. Backhouse will be out to wipe off last Saturday’s defeat. and Pullar showed such fine form last Saturdaj that he too. will have to be reckoned with. He is coming to Dunedic by air specially to take part in this race. E. W. Best, 21-> earold Australian Empire Games athlete, will also be an attraction, and as he has yet to be beaten in a sprint event in New Zealand, and has revealed such remarkably fine form, much inlenst should be taken in his running. Anothei Empire Games representative who will be participating is Miss Betty Forbes, of Oamaru. who will take part in the Women’s High Jump, in which she has already revealed world-class form.