Amateur Athletics.

Otautau Standard and Wallace County Chronicle, Volume X, Issue 507, 9 February 1915, Page 5

Amateur Athletics.

There was a good gathering of interested i spectators at the Recreation Ground on Wednesday evening to witness the local Club get off its sprint ohampionshipa, although the evening was fairly cold both for the spectators and runners, and consequently the times established were not so good as' anticipated. In the 100 Yards Championship, chief interest centred m the meeting of F. Paton, who by dint of steady training has shown much improvement, and N. G. Saunders, who two seasons ago, when trained, rau so well at the Now Zealand Championships. On this occasion, Saunders was right out of training, but many considered his natural pace would keep him ahead of Patoi* o\ er 100 yards. I Great difficulty was experienced' m getting ! the men a*vay to an even start, as several were endeavouring to get going before the I gun, and eventually Paton got away with a flying start, and won by 3yds from Saunders m i 0 3-ssecs. However, the starter, Mr Keddell, had pulled the second pjstol for a no-race, and tho runners again toed the mark. Ok this occasion, the five competitors were^senfc away together. Saunders and , Patoh locked together immediately commenced to forge ahead, and at 70 yards were still o^l equal terms, for then Saunders, who was feeling the effect? of the earlier run m his untrained condition, fell back, while Paton responded with his usual vigorous finish, and secured the verdict by three yards m llsecs, F. Hazlett a fair third, C. E. Robertson and W. Har^ rington finishing m that order. There were five starters m the 220 Yards Championship, and m this event, interest oentred m the meeting of Harrington and Paton. Paton drew the inside position, while Harrington was 'badly placed on' the outside. Paton and Robertson were quickest to start, while Harrington got going badly. Paton made the pace a cracker, and led into the straight, followed by Robertson, Hazlett and Saunders, Harrington last. The latter then commenoed to make bis run, but Paton was well ahead, and won by three yards, Harrington just beating Robertson by a foot for second, Hazlett and Saunders close up. Time, 2osecs.