HARRIERS

Otago Witness, Issue 3509, 14 June 1921, Page 43

HARRIERS

EDMOND CUP STEEPLECHASE. OLYMPIC TlZJ.il WINS TROPHY. Ihe Edmond Cup fftiree-mile Steeplechase, an event ot some interest to the harriers of the dominion, took piace on the wnigatui Racecourse on Saturday afternoon, when about 200 members of various harriers clubs journeyed out to the course by train. Ten ciubs entered for the competition, inciudindg the Olympic Harrier and A.A.C. and the*Brooklyn Harrier and A.A.C’., of \\ fcilmgton. Among the starters in the event in which 97 runners competed, were J. W. Seatehard (Olympic Club, Wellington), who ran second in the New Zealand Championship last year; If. Bell (captain ol the Brooklyn Glub, Wellington), winner of the individual championship at Dunedin last year; V. Frye (captain of the Caversham Club and champion of Otago) ; and A. B. Tracey (Olympic Club), formerly of Dunedin. Included among well-known harriers of eight or nine years ago who were interested spectators were Messrs 11. Burk, J. Beatson, P. Romerill, and J. Frew. The attendance of the general public, though not large, was very enthusiastic. 'lne track was somewhat heavy after the recent rain, and although the weather was mill and threatening, no rain fell while the event was in progress. The race was held under the auspices of the Dunedin Harrier Club. Air E. A. Rosevear acted as referee, Air W. B. Kernohan as timekeeper, and Messrs A. Cannon, A. Melville, C. Frye, and W. Pittaway as judges. THE RACE. A good start was effected, when it was seen mat the Brooklyn men were striving to gain the lead, with tile Pacific runners c.G-se behind. The lieid was very bundled going over the first sod waif but crossing to the north of the track Brooklyn appealed to ho in the lead. On the back etreten the held lengthened out considerably, the leading runners being well ahead. The waterjump at tile south bend was net such a serious obstacle as might have been supposed, although some oi the runners caused much amusement to the spectators in their efforts to get across. W hen the waterjump was ewared for tiic first time A. Bell (Brooklyn) led, and was followed closely by ins ciuDniate VV. Burke, i. W ilson (Olympic), J. D. Stables (Dunedin Harriers). C. Frye and L. Ashby (Cuversham Clue) followed closely, ’ihe held was tiring somewhat on its approach to the water-jump for tile second time. \\ ilson (Olympic) was running t:rst, anil was followed closely by Bell, liurke, and Ashby. Passing the stand on ihe commencement of the final lap, Wilson was still leading, with Burke and Bell close behind, and with Frye and Ashby (Caversham) running well. On the north bond of the track Wilson, Burke, and Bell still kept in tiie front, but I rye and Ashby had closed up considerably. The field entered the straight, with Burke leading, and with Beil in close attendance, with Ashby about 20 yards to the tear. Jhe first 20 men were stretched out on the track for about 100 yards. The leaders maintained their positions and finished with a strong sprint, Wilson breasting the tape some live yards ahead of lied. The thud man was Ashby, who finished well, leading Burke by about 10 yards, who was followed closely by Seatehard. Ihe remainder of the field was close handy, and provided some exciting finishes. Tho race was fought out to the last breath by Wilson, Bell, Burke, and Ashby. The race showed that many of the contestants possessed good staying powers, which, it could* be seen, was the result of steady training The following are the results:—-

INDIVIDUAL RESULT. T. Wilson (Olympic) 1 R. Bell (Brooklyn 2 L. Ashby (Caversham) 3 W. Burke (Brooklyn' 4 J. Scratehard (Olympic! 5 Time, 18mir> ilseo. TEAMS’ RESULT. Olympic Hairier Club (1, 5,6, 9, 11, i 7). 49 1Anglican Harrier Club No. 1 (13, 14, lb. 18, 21, 23), 105 2 Brooklyn Harrier Club (2, 4. 10, 19. 33, 50), 118 . 3 Pacific Harrier Club (12, 15, 20, 22 , 25, 26). 120 4 The other teams finished as follow :—~ Caversham 186. Anglican No. 2 289, Civil Service 332, Sit. Kilda 360, St. Patrick’s 401. Tho Dunedin Harrier Club also started INDIVIDUAL WIN X liR S. T. Wilson, the individual winner, is only 16 years of age, and this was the first time he has appeared before the public. He was placed third in the Three-mile Sealed Handicap run at Island Bay. Wellington, last year. This runner went to the front at the start of the second lap in 1 lie race, and showed remarkable stamina throughout the, course. R. Bell, the second man, wen ihe individual championship cf the Edmond Cup on the occasion the Brooklyn team visited Dunedin last year. He is the ex-Scottish cross-country champion. L. Ashby, of the Caversham Club, is a young runner, and this is his first year in a harriers’ race on the track. His performance was very good, considering his age and experience. PRESENTATION OF CUP. Mr E. A. Rosevear, in presenting the cup to the winning team at a dame tendered to the visiting harriers in the Victoria Hail on Saturday night, stated that he much admired the sporting spirit of the Wellington teams in coming such a distance to compete. It was the first tine that the lldmond Cup Inct been taken" from Dunedin, and lie thought that the contest next year would be even more interesting. He asked them to accept the cup, which they would hold for 11 months. lie was sure that no one grudged the Olympic team its win. lie presented the individual members of ihe Olympic team with medallions and the individual winner (Mr T. Wilson) with a special prize.—(Applause.) Mr J. IV. Seatehard. captain of the Olympic team, expressed thanks on behalf of the team and himself for the hospitable way in which they had been entertained, and hoped that his team would have the pleasure of entertaining the Dunedin harriers when they competed for the New Zealand Cross-country Ciminpionship. which would be run at Wellington in October. Mr S. Gale (the captain of the Anglican No. 1 team) complimented the visitors on their fine showing.

Mr Bell (captain of the Brooklyn team) extended thanks on behalf of his team. FORMER WINNERS. The Edmond Cup Race is contested over a three-mile steeplechase course by teams representing the different clubs in either the North or South Islands. In 1907 it was won by the Caversham Harriers; in 1908 by the Dunedin Harriers; in 1309. 1912, and 1913 by the Caversham Harriers; in 1914 by the Dunedin Harriers; in 1915 by the Caversham Harriers; and in 1920 by the Pacific Harriers.