ATHLETICS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23883, 10 August 1939, Page 4

ATHLETICS

By Amateur

FIXTURES August 12.—New Zealand Cross-coun-try Championship, at Haveloclc North; Ness Cup Race, at Caledonian Ground. Sep : ember 2. —Port Chalmers-Dunedin iSoad Race September 16. -Modified Marathon, at Mosgiel Oecember 2. -Marathon Championship at Mosgiel THE NATIONAL TITLE W. A. C. Pullar's Chances Favoured This coming Saturday* all athletes' eyes will be turned to Havelock North, where the New Zealand Cross-country Championship" will be decided, and from present indications an extremely interesting contest should be witnessed. Both" the individual title and the teams* race appear very open, and it is this fact that is causing the interest in this year's championship to be so keen. C. D ; Weller (West Coast. North Island),, who has won the title for the past three years, has been showing indifferent form this season, end was badly beaten in the' West Coast Championship a fortnight ago by H. J. Brown (New Plymouth). It is possible, but only remotely so, that he might make a vast improvement ,by Saturday, but he will create a great surprise

if he pulls off the title. With Weller more or less out of the running, it would'appear that the ex-Otago runner W. A: C. Pullar, how of Masterton, will be favoured by most for the title. Pullar has had a notable career in athletics and has Won numerous and varied national titles. This winter he has been giving crosscountry running his full attention, and the success he has achieved already this year shows that he is right up to form. He recently won the Wellington title in good time, and'naturally Wellington athletic followers are confident that he can pull off the national- championship on Saturday. Certainly, he should be a difficult man to beat, but the field is by no means a weak one Northern enthusiasts are a little inclined to treat A. R. Geddes's ability rather lightly, but this year they might get a decided shock. The Otago champion seems to have improved considerably after his spell during last summer, and he is running better than ever before. There seems to be more dash in his running this winter, and he should give Pullar stern opposition at Havelock North. Geddes was third last year, but he has a long list'of seconds to his credit. Otago harriers would not be at all surprised to see him bring back the title for the first time in his career. Apart from Pullar and Geddes, others likely to be prominent are H. J Brown (New Plymouth) and L. R. Watters (Auckland). Brown is a consistent runner, and did well to beat Weller for the West Coast title recently. He was second in the national event last year—a position he filled as far back as 1930, when Randolph Rose won the title. Watters is one of Auckland's best men now that J, W. Savidan is out of competition. He was dropped from last year's Auckland team because he failed to attend practices Watters is a consistent runner who should be well up in the field on Saturday. Northern critics consider that the t .ams' race should be a particularly open one this year, and. if anything they seem to favour Wellington's chances of winning the premiership There is not much wrong with the Otago team, however, and it will take a good team indeed to wrest the premiership from it. G. L. Austin's withdrawal from the team will be a 'oss, but G. Davie is capable of a good performance. The team has the best wishes of Otago athletic enthusiasts who feel more than a little confident of its success against northern combinations. CLUB CHAT L. R. McMillan's Return L. R. McMillan (Civil Service), a former Port road and Modified Marathon winner, is working to a solid training schedule for the Marathon championship. McMillan is one of the keenest members of tne club, and to him much of the credit of the junior successes in the club and interclub races must be attributed, for he spent a good deal of time coaching them for their races. D. Ryan (Celtic United), although still a junior, was with the pacemakers all the way last Saturday, and the last two miles found him still going strong E. Patterson and E. A. Dyson found the going a bit hard, as this was their first serious road run this season. Dyson is also suffering from a foot injury, which may prevent him from starting in the Port road race. Although some Civil Service m#mbers«have lost interest in the Ness Cup through the postponement, the club will be well represented on Saturday L. Bradshaw. one of the most promising juniors, has been training over

shorter distances and he should- be well placed on Saturday. N. Coutts, who can always turn on plenty of speed for the half and mile; should also run well. Other starters who may spring surprises are J. G. Barnes, M. Mackinnon. D. Whittle'ston. M. Collins and C. Alcock. Last Saturday's run of the Celtic United Club consisted of-a solid workout on the road for the Port road race and Marathon teams.' R. Carroll and W. Beauchamp proved themselves true road runners, The non-stop journeV to Macandrew Bay and back did not trouble them, with the exception of heel soreness, this being "due to the fact that they are not used to the road. A.few more runs like thin should find them in excellent fettle.;. Two first-year Civil Service Tunneris —Fletcher and Bunn—were ' showing good' form on the road last Saturday, and. with more preparation.'should be well up in some of the cbmihg road races. J. G.'Barnes and M". Mackinnon held a eood training riin'tb Maearidfew Bay and back to the Caledonian Grotnd. These two members'. cUsDlayed excellent" form throughout the 12 miles, and finished a solid training , run undistressed. ■ - ■•;-.■-.. :> ~. ; . There is n good representation of tne St: Kilda Club in the Ness * Cub: R. Beatson should be among the; first horns. He has a good and the race should Suit hinv .Others who should be well, up are T. Beateony L, McKay,. J. Hodges arid M. Spain. ■ ■ A feature of .last Saturday's run.'of the' St. Kilda Club was the running of a new member. A. Thornicroft; wh|o ya occupying third' place showed himself to' be a powerful runner, and; if-he could Improve his action he woulq .go far in club and' interclub races. A. Holmes is one of, the most' promising colts the club has had for .some time, and he ran well on Saturday. s. CLUB FIXTURES /Austin's Record Run t Last Saturday, the Caversham harriers held the annual Brighton-Green Island road race.: D. C. Simpson, won by, a' good margin with lhe r next six finishing in.close 'The race was held under, ideal conditions, with, practically rid wind and for the, sixth time in; the last six years the record has been lowered. The ; winner, •D. C. Simpson; (Sriiin 30sec); proyed,to .members the benefit gairied -by consistent training. Making full, use of his handicap, he ran steadily all. the way to win by .150.yards.Y 115 sec), lastvear's winner, ran, a, great race for second place and 'second fastesttime. His time, 33min 48sec,.Was a good perforniance t and he should be prorhineint «in the road rac«s. : pG.i L.-A us *6ii» the scratch wman, ran-the.lracei on his,-own.aridt proved that he jis improving year bringing his; own existing record of 33min ssec,to 32min 37sec. fifth successive year that .Austin' has gained tithe honours, and his tbrm suggests that he .should be a favourite, for the Otago Marathbri„ Championship. iri •December.- L. M. Gerrie<2mih.lssec>, the .only junior competing, -finished fourth and surprised some, of s|e experienced road rrieh by gaining third fastest time. A. Rackley, J. Eriimerson and F. Mackay all ran; well tc* finish. close, up. Before the road race, a junior handicap race was lifeld and the winner turned up in S. ". Lenz. off 25sec, who has made wonderful,,improvement since the beginning of the season. W. McMillan, 45see; rah ; his best race this year for second place. The events to be decided at Forbury Park on Saturday are the' 440- Yards, One Mile, Hop,- Step and Jump ;and Broad Jump. As there*> are approximately 30 entries for each event., the races should be keenly contested. Tor the 440 Yards A. L. MurrajNs expected to provide the Strongest opposition; as he Won this event last year. Good performances are expected fforh several others, notably S. Avent, F; Hodge, S. Smith and J. Stephenson. mile, R. McKinlay, N. 'Arthur and S: Avent have only to repeat previous form to be prorninent, and with other improving runners on middle marks it is difficult to predict the possible winner'.-Both the jumps will engage large fields; and as most of the competitors represent unknown quality, it seems likely that surprise' results will eventuate. In these events last year F. Hodge showed x promise, and he, S. Avent A. Murray and J. Stephenson will be the .probable backmarkers. S., Smith : . and, P. Garden both 1 impress as very, likely jumpers amongst the others. . The Baptist ..Club's Five?* Mile'.club championship and, sealed handicap if or the H. F. Rishworth Shield will be . contested on Saturday over; a course mapped out Over St. Kilda. Tainui arid Lover's lane. The course will; proyide a good test for the competitors,,and the race itself should orovo interesting to the club's supporters. : HdnourSj;rio doubt, will be fought put between Captain H. Campbell and his deputy,* J. Stewart. It is possible that the lattef may turn the tables on his captain, who led the club home in the 01 ago crosscountry championships. H. Benf ell should also be' found handy: at Jhe finish. Both V, Campbell and R. Graham are liable to upset. calculations, and should be hard contestants for the • ■ t sealed handicap. ; v, '" . ; ' :.i