ATHLETICS

Otago Witness, Issue 3957, 14 January 1930, Page 28

ATHLETICS

By

Amateur.

A recent cable message from Brisbane itated that Dr Otto Peltzer, the famous Herman sprinter, announced on his arrival there that he could run in only two races in Australia. In describing this announcement as being akin to the dropping of a bombshell no exaggeration is involved, for it is little short of ridiculous that an athlete should travel across the world to make only two appearances in another country. Presumably, the German visitor will go into secret training between his first second appearances in order to keep fit. Dr Peltzer further announced that as he had run two races in Manila he had four left, one of which he would like to run in New Zealand. This will be something of a cold douche for the governing body in the Dominion, as it was hoped to secure a visit from Dr Peltzer; but it was scarcely contemplated that he would travel so far to make a solitary appearance on our tracks. In the circumstances the New Zealand Council may be tempted to let the present negotiations lapse and offer our ‘‘one appearance” to Australia. It would be a good turn that at some future time might be reciprocated. Randolph Rose, New Zealand’s champion distance runner, has joined the New Plymouth Amateur Athletic Club. Rose will represent that club at the centre championships at Hawera in March, and also intends competing at the New Zealand championship meeting held in the same month. A writer in the Poverty Bay Herald says that Miss N. Wilson is quickly reaching top form, and predicts success tor her in the 100 yards ladies’ event at the New Zealand championship meeting at M anganui. THE HOLIDAY MEETINGS. D. M’Lennan, the Christchurch professional sprinter, won the New Zealand 100 Yards Championship at Oamaru on New Year’s Day in the smart time of lOscc. He comfortably accounted for C. .Pier; son. of Invercargill, and J. H. Harris, of Dunedin, who filled the minor peaces. M’Lennan gave another notable instance of his prowess when he won the 130 Yards Caledonian Handicap off the three yards’ mark in 12 2-ssec. M’Lennan is not particularly fast off the mark. but his finishing spurt over the last 25 yards takes him away from the other competitors. A Southland athlete who is now attracting much attention is A. G. Harrington, who is at present running in great style. At Edendale on Christmas Day he was not very prominent, sharing second place in the 440 Yards Handicap with A. IT. Davidson. The following at Limehills he ran second in the 220 Yards Handicap, but it was at Lumsden on the following Tuesday that he came into his own. He was in fine fettle, and accounted for the 100 Yards Open Handicap ami the 135 Yards Lumsden Sheffield and ran third in the 440 Yards Handicap. J. H. Harris, of Dunedin, was seen in action at Edendale on Christmas Day. but the big money did not come his way. and from his performance there the public gained little idea of his ability. Off a lyd mark he came second in the 220 Yards Handicap, but otherwise was not prominent. At Limehills the following day he again did not come into the limelight, only gaining second place in the 75 Yards Handicap in a close finish off a 3yds mark. At Balfour his best effort was once more a second, this place being gained in the 75 Yards Ardlussa Flying Handicap. The southern competition must have stimulated him, because he did better at the North Otago Caledonian Society’s sports on New Year’s Day. Off a 2yds mark he came second in the 75 Yards Handicap, and was successful in running third in the 100 Y T ards New Zealand Champion •hip, wliich event was won by D. M’Lentian, the speedy Christchurch sprinter, llarris ran second in lhe 220 Yards Handicap off a 3yds mark, and in the 130 Yards Caledonian Handicap came second kn his heat and semi-final, but was unplaced in the final. NOTES. Always study the starter. Watch him, and see how- long he keeps his starters in the “ get set” position before firing. That is worth yards to you in the shorter races, as you know’ what to expect. Although the advice given above is told to every novice at some time or other, it is quoted from a book on athletics by the wellknown English authorities. Harry Andrews and W. S. Alexander. Preparations are already being made for the 1932 Olympic Games, to be held at Los Angeles. The people of California have already voted 1,000,000 dollars for preliminary work. The stadium in which the games are to be held is completed, and accommodation is arranged to seat 110,000 people. A separate auditorium for the boxing, wrestling, and fencing events, to seat 12,000. is also completed, and the swimming pool, with stands to seat 10,000, is being put in hand. The "winter games” section is to be held earlier in the year at Lake Placid, in New’ York State, where the conditions for lhe snow and ice sports are said to be ideal.

ARRIVAL OF AUSTRALIANS. WELLINGTON, January 7. Fitt and Cooper, the profession il runners, arrived from Australia to-day e i route to compete at Christchurch.

CHAMPIONSHIPS AT HAWERA. WANGANUI. January 7. The Executive Committee of the Wa-nganui-Taranaki Centre of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association decided to-night to hold the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Championship fixture at Hawera on Saturday, March 1.

LERMOND IN SYDNEY. SYDNEY. Januai'y 12. The American athlete Lermond appeared in a mile invitation handicap, which was run in a drizzling rain. He conceded big starts. The event resulted as follows: —Dillon (Eastern Suburbs, 45 yarns 1; Brooke (St. George’s). 85 yards, 2: Jepperson (Eastern Suburbs), 65 yards, 3. Lermond (United States) scratch, was

fourth. The winner's time was 4min 29 4-sscc, and Lermond’s was 4min 34sec. He expects that another week’s training will bring him into form.

WOMEN S RECORD BROKEN. _ SYDNEY, January 12. At yesterday’s athletic sports Carlton equalled the Australian record of 9 4-ssee for the 100 yards, beating M’Kinnon (2yds) and Vaughan (3yds). Clarice Kennedy (Western Suburbs), from scratch, won the women’s 80 metres hurdles, beating R. Winter (2yds), and N. Gould (3yds). Miss Kennedy’s time of 12Jsec is a world's record. Miss Von Bredow (Germany), the present recordholder's time was 12 4-ssec. CHAMPIONSHIPS OFFERED TO TARANAKI. CHRISTCHURCH, January 11. The annual conference of the New Zealand Athletic and Cycling Union passed a resolution recommending that the cycling and running championship be allocated to one centre annually, instead of scattering the various events among numerous clubs. The option of holding the championship meeting in 1931 was given to the Taranaki Centre. The next conference will be held in the Taranaki district. CHAMPIONS VISIT AUSTRALIA. SYDNEY, January 6. The New South Wales Amateur Athletic Association to-day warmly welcomed Dr Otto Peltzer, the German middle-dis-tance runner, and Leo Learniond, the American track champion. Mr Henry* Bradden, in a speech, said that at this stage of the world’s affairs, when Australia was striving for an international place, the visit of such men as Dr Peltzer and Air Learmond, representatives of two of the leading nations, was most opportune.