HARRIERS

Southland Times, Issue 23179, 21 April 1937, Page 14

HARRIERS

INVERCARGILL CLUB

(By

“Cross-country”)

There was not such a good attendance of runners last Saturday afternoon as on the opening day of the Invercargill Harrier Club, but a solid pack of almost a score took the trail, under the whistle of the club captain (J. Chaplin). The run was held in the Waikiwi district, where the traillayers G. McAnergney and F. Thompson laid a course of six and a-halt miles over ideal harrier country. A small pack of the faster men under the guidance of the deputy-captain (G. H. Watson) went ahead for a nonstop run and made excellent time, finishing very fresh for so early in the season. It was pleasing to notice J. Cross in the pack again. He is a runner of more tha naverage ability, who, if he settled down to steady training, would be one of the best harrers in the province. . , A course of steady training will work wonders with a youngster’s stamina and ability and the captain or deputy captains will gladly advise any new man of the best methods to adopt. The opening runs of the season are usually easy-going outings, and for the first few weeks no one takes the running seriously, but from now on all harriers should remember that the first races are not far ahead and that they will need to get all the benefit possible from the weekly runs. An extra run during the week and plenty of walking will also help considerably to build up strength and staying power. In many of the northern clubs, Sunday tramps are a regular feature of the training schedule, and it is an idea that the local runners might well adopt. Apart from the benefit to the running, there is no finer exercise for the general health, which must be good if a man is to excel at crosscountry running. . t Next Saturday the pack will visit Otatara as the guests of Messrs G. and J. Metcalfe.

St. Paul’s Club Last Saturday’s run of the St. Paul’s Harrier Club was very successful. It was, in fact, one of the best days harriers in Southland have experienced for some time. The trail laid was an excellent one, covering all varieties of ground, just what is needed to break the new members in to real harrier country. If those who turn out in the near future are as keen as those already running, the club can look forward to a most profitable season. In view of the possibility of an Edmond Cup team going to Dunedin this year, as in 1935, which incidentally was a highly successful move, the club coach (Mr Lindsay Pullar- has been on the job early. Already he has a good number under his watchful eye during the week. Those who have not started training and intend doing so are advised to see the coach and get his advice. Some of those who have begun training are so pleased with the improvement shown that the coach will have to get an assistant to cope with the number turning out. Besides making one much more fit generally, this little extra each week will make the weekly runs far more enjoyable. At this stage in the season it is hard to predict how the new members will develop as far as racing is concerned. But among those of last year’s team members who will be in the running is A. L. Hind, who has always been one |4>f Southland’s foremost harriers and is again turning out regularly. If early form counts for anything he will be among Southland’s best again this year. R. L. Woods and the Clark brothers from Tussock Creek can always be relied on to do their bit and be up with the leaders by the time the racing season starts. The Clarks are to the fore on the road rather than the country. J. Harding started his harrier career last year and has set an example in improvement and keenness. With a little more coaching he will be making last year’s first team men run hard. B. Macalister and H. Dunlop have yet to turn out this season, but when they do some good running can be expected. Some of the other seniors who are getting into form for the coming steeplechase are W. J. Miller, J. Walker, R. Clarke and A. Stevens. Miller will be remembered for his stout performance in last year’s junior cross country championships in Otago when he led the St. Paul’s team home.

The juniors this year are keener than ever. Last year St. Paul’s juniors put up a fine showing in Otago, being equal second. Considering the lack of hill training this was excellent and easily the best effort attained by any Southland club. G. Alington and N. Dorman will again be in these ranks and good team work can be expected from them. S. Walker, A. Adamson and F. Penman are all taking things seriously this season and have good running careers before them. C. Lee is another who will be making the leaders run hard to keep their places. The club has never in its short history had such a keen and energetic membership and some good performances can be expected. Saturday’s run will be from the North Invercargill Sunday School Hall, Windsor street, at the usual time.