THE HARRIERS

Southland Times, Issue 22915, 13 June 1936, Page 20

THE HARRIERS

ST. PAUL’S CLUB Last week’s run of St. Paul's Harrier Club at Kennington was a great success. The country Was new and much drier than closer to town. The attendance was the best this season; it was even more pleasing to note that most of those present were participants. The run provided a good combination of cross-country and road work, enabling a hard finishing burst to be staged. The fast men, both senior and junior, did not stop after the pack broke up. To-day the club’s first race of the season will take place when the threemile steeplechase will be decided. The event is both a championship and sealed handicap, so there should be a good field. The present champion is R. Woods, and on his present form he should be hard to beat. His chief rival will be A. Hind, the club cross-country champion; but H. Dunlop, L. Pullar, B. McAlister, E. Dorman, N. Dorman and R. Clarke should all be close up. Another very promising man is J. Clark, who, though he lacks racing experience, should be well to the fore. In addition, G. Couling, S Cunningham and J. Waddell cannot be disregarded. Training has now officially begun for the season and members should take advantage of it. Those who have not yet begun have no reason to be alarmed, for it is not too late. The important events of the season are still some weeks away and a few week-night runs will make a great difference. It is fatal’ to over-train. A man who is stale is far worse off than a man who is not properly fit. General Notes. The harrier season in New Zealand is rapidly moving on _ towards the big events and speculation is already rife about who will take the various titles.

In Otago W. Pullar, J. Barnes, R. Geddes, and T. Allen are probably the most likely men, but there are several promising young runners. It is possible that a few weeks may see some great surprises.

In other parts of the Dominion most of the well-known runners are out again. From all accounts Savidan and Cooper are performing as well as ever in Auckland, though not a great deal of information is available.

In Southland the leading men should come from G. H. Watson, A. Hind, W. Crowther and R. Woods. It seems probable that the standard for local events will be raised still higher. Both the bigger clubs in Invercargill should ba able to send strong teams to Wingatui for the cross-country events this year. It is unfortunate that time and expense prevent them sending representatives for the Edmond Cup steeplechase. Southland runners in Dunedin usually find the hills a big handicap. Tlie following advice on hill work is interesting:—

“The proper cross-country stride is somewhat abbreviated, with the knee slightly bent and the heel touching the ground after the ball of the foot has made contact. On mounting a hill, the stride must be considerably shortened and the body inclined forward. It is, of course, unwise to travel at the best pace while ascending the hill. At the top bf the incline the legs should be relaxed, and the relaxation should be emphasized by going back on the heels for a few steps. This relieves the pressure of the over-taxed Achilles’ tendon, which has been overworked during the climb. While it is advisable to do considerable early preparation in hill climbing, both walking and running, it must be remembered that this form of exercise is severe if indulged in tbo frequently.” This advice appeared recently in New Zealand Sporting Life and should well repay careful study.