AMATEUR TRACK NOTES

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17233, 12 April 1930, Page 12

AMATEUR TRACK NOTES

Apart from tho Easter fixtures, the amateur athletic track season in Poverty Bay is finished. The entries at the last two meetings were by no means encouraging to the club, although most local athletes are kebpihg in training with a view to competing at Easter. As usual, tlie Waikoiui Returned Soldiers’ sports fixture at Te Kdraka Domain on Easter Monday should receive much support, for in the past this meeting has been one of the most popular of the Easter attractions, so far as amateur athletes here are concerned.

Tlie five-mile cycle handicap on Thursday evening was a tame race, for it seemed that the handicapper had overestimated the capabilities of tlie backmarkers, P. McMahon and A. Campbell, both of.whom retired after going halfway, Tho face was a gift for R. Hall, and the additional five points, places him in possession of the Atgie Cup. A. E. Redmond had over two laps start on the scratch cyclists, but despite thii Big advantage he was unable' to do any good.

Only six..started m..fhe men’s century dash on- Thursday, D. Stevens, one of Hie. best middle-distance runners in the club, emerging the' winner. Another runner who prefers the ..lap .events, R. Sheiidafi, finished second. R. Mace, a High School sprinter, who was placed third, gives promise of developing into good handicap competitor, and no doubt will show improved forri'i next season. * 4 * * As a result of his win in the 75yds championship on Thursday, E. Grant must be recognised as the fastest junior sprinter in the club. He has lffireli to learn about running, nevertheless, blit, he possesses strength and determination, and these are essential to the building up of a good sprinter. G. Qumn, who impressed many with his good track performances earlier in the season, finished Second. L. Morrow fought strongly for a time, but, he’ gave the impression that he was not properly fit. * # * # Thirteen ladies paraded for the Sprint, the heat winners being Miss' V. Carey and Miss M. Nicol, though both were beaten in Hie final, which was won by Miss E. Johnston; Miss G. McConnell was placed second and Miss D. Dixey third, though some of the spectators c6hsider Miss Carey finished next to the winner, and Miss McConnell third. The relay handicap resulted in a win for Miss Phyllis Tier’s team. # # * * Cycling in Wellington has been very quiet during the past few tft’oeks, but vheelmeu lliere Wave the EthstOV ihectihgs in view, and ar<? still in training. Several will be making the trip to Nelson, while others will visit, Auckland and various parts of th‘e North Island. Cycling is booming in Auckland at present, and there is a feeling there that ni wdi'ld record is within striking diSfaiVc'e of one of their prominent riders. This is the kilometre standing start record established by (tear Egg abbut six years ago, the distance, approximately five-eighths of a, mile, being covered in Iniin 13 4-fV sec. J. Whitten, the best uhpace'd rider in tlie northern city, has registered liViih 17sec, and he intends specialising on this distance with a view to officially attacking Egg's record. The distance which is mostly timed for speed ift New Zealand is the 440vds, and the best ~for living start was registered by Jack Standee on Cook’s Gnrdjbis. Wanganui. 25 3-ssoe, The Australian .record for standing start is 28 3 sser. It is understood that- thiS time has hot- WOrr bettered in Now Zealand.

» # * * Interest is increasing throughout New Zealand copccVnjhg the Empire (lames, to lid held in Hamilton, Canada, next August, a, rid tlie New Zealand Amateur A title tic Association has called fof‘ nominal tons for ropros’entaliqfis at, the'

•rames. This appeal is .•onkiderod lo lie rather lale, arid does not givA the centres very much tithe to review their ranks. Judging ffpni the form displayed’ at tiie Dominion championships, if must he admitted that very few New Zealand athletes have much chance of sheceks igainst the runners, cyclists, and field wpunenls of Great Britain, Canada, arid Australia. There is one exception. linwover, and il is R. Lay, javelin thrower, of lin we rii. Randolph Rose is nol avail aide, and Boh. Evans, Hie “find" of the season, is not eligible on amount of being a reinstated professional.