HARRIERS

Southland Times, Issue 22008, 6 May 1933, Page 14

HARRIERS

May 20.—St. Paul’s'Club, 2J miles malden handicap, Invercargill Racecourse. June 10.—Edmond Cup Steeplechase, Wingatui. June 24.—Port Road Race, Dunedin*, Southland cross-country championship (first shield race),, racecourse. j u jy B.—Otago junior cross country race. Dunedin; Temuka-Timaru road race. St. Paul’s Club Notes. The club members are strongly of the opinion that some of the best harrier country near town is to be found round the Seaward Bush district. Unfortunately it is just too far from most of the city starting points to include much of it in a run. Last Saturday, however, thanks to the Oteramika Hall Committee the pack was able to get right on to this country from the start and had a thoroughly enjoyable run. Members are asked to note that, owing to an unfortunate misunderstanding, the 2£ miles maiden handicap, arranged for next Saturday, May 13, hat been postponed until the following Saturday, May 20, as the racecourse is not available next week; instead there will be a combined run with the Invercargill Club pack from St. Stephen’s Hall Bainfield Road, Waikiwi. This delay in running the race will no doubt be appreciated by those who are not yet fit.

To-day the pack will run from St. ■Paul's Hall, Dee street, at 2.30 p.m. There is a wide range of excellent country accessible from here, stretching from south of Dunn's road to Waikiwi and west as fat as the river, while some trails have crossed the North Road out near Waikiwi and returned via Thompson’s Bush and the Park. Runs in this area generally contain a good mixture of road and country. One of the informal kas, wE'c I’l 1 ’ 1 proved so popular last year, will be held at the conclusion of to-day’s run. INVERCARGILL CLUB NOTES. The suggestion has been put forward tentatively that an endeavour should be made, now that harrier running is firmly established in the south, to institute some form of annual competition with Otago. Although the standard in Dunedin is very high, due to the large numbers turning out each week (and we could hardly expect to hold our own against a Dunedin team) the idea is an excellent one, and the mere prospect of a few defeats for a start should not be allowed to act as a deterrent. There is no reason why the race should not be run in conjunction with the last five mile road race of the season, when there are always several Dunedin competitors just for the actual run. The result of such an annual contest would be to immeasurably strengthen local interest anct keenness with the corresponding increase in the standard of performance, which, it must be admitted, is not quite what it could be. Owing to the previous engagement of the racecourse for the first week in May it has been found necessary to alter the programme slightly and it now reads:—

To-day.—Mr A. W. Jones’ residence, Oteramika Road. (Meet Rugby Park corner at 2.15 p.m.). May 13.—High School, Herbert Street, combined run with St. Paul’s Club.

May 20.—Waikiwi (meet at terminus at 2.15 p.m.). May 27.—Greenhills (transport arrangements later). June 3.—Open. June 10.—Racecourse. June 17.—Mr G. Rodgers’ residence, Otatara.

June 24.—Racecourse, five miles cross country inter-club teams’ race for shield.

To date the increase in membership has been a pleasing feature of the club's activities, and since two points for the Provo Cup are given for each new member brought in, it is to be hoped that this increase will continue through the season. The muster of 17 at the Baths last Saturday gives an indication of the improvement on the size of the pack of last year. T. Pickering led the pack in from a good run of about seven miles, this being his first run since the New Zealand championship meeting at Christchurch. Pickering intends to take the first part of the syllabus seriously and will be a valuable member of the No. 1 team in the first inter-club race. For a new member, G. Tait (Greenhills) showed promise in securing a place in the run home. Training this week brought forth six members, but this is not enough. Apart from the run on Saturday at least one other run during the week is necessary to attain some degree of fitness. To-day members will partake of the hospitality of Mr and Mrs A. W. Jones, Oteramika Road, and a good muster is expected. The paper will be in the hands of P. Jordan and W. Tait and a good run over some new country can be looked for. For the benefit of those members who perhaps are not very clear about the rules governing competition for the Provo Cup the following information is supplied: One point for attending each run; one point for a place in the run home up to fourth when the pack is not over 10; one point for a place in the run home up to sixth when the pack is over 10; two points for each new member to the person bringing them along. General consistency over the whole season will also be taken into consideration in the final allocation. This competition does not apply to club or inter-club races. ■ 000