ATHLETICS

Southland Times, Issue 23374, 4 December 1937, Page 20

ATHLETICS

THE PROFESSIONAL CIRCUIT

(By

SPIKE)

The Edendale Sports Society’s annual gathering on Christmas Day is always one of the most popular events on the professional athletic circuit in Southland. The meeting this year, the 37th since the society was founded, should prove no exception. If anything, it should be one of the most successful fixtures yet held by the society. Twenty-four events are included in the programme and £l2O is offered in prize-money and trophies.

Six events are included in the running section of the programme. The Sheffield will this year carry £lB in prize money, apart from special trophies. To the winner will go £l2, to the second placed competitor £4, to third £1 10/- and to the fourth man 10/-. A cup, valued at £5 5/-, has been donated by Mr John Eades for the competitor who wins this event, twice in succession or three times at intervals. A miniature of the cup will go to the winner this year. The quarter, half and one mile handicaps will each carry prize-money of £4, £2, and £1 for first, second and third respectively. In the 75 yards flying handicap the first man will receive £2, the second £1 and third 10/-; and in the 220 yards handicap, first will receive £3, second £2 and third £l. A cup has been given by Mr D. Flanagan for the runner securing most points in the 440 yards, 880 yards and mile events. It has to be won twice, not necessarily in successive years. A miniature of the cup will go to the winner this year.

Of the three cycle races on the programme, the most important will be the Christmas Day Handicap of two miles, which offers £4 for first, £2 for second and £1 for third. The one and a-half miles handicap carries prizemoney of £4 for first, £1 10/- for second and 10/- for third. In the mile handi-

cap, first prize is £3, second £1 10/- and third 10/-.

The bushcraft section, although not big, should attract keen competition from the axemen and sawyers of Southland. There are two chopping events and one sawing event, in each of which attractive prize-money is offered. _ The 14-inch underhand chop and 12-inch standing chop carry prizemoney of £4 for first, £2 for second and _£l for third respectively; and the 18-inch-double-handed sawing handicap offers £3 for first, £1 10/- for second and 10/- for third.

The piping and dancing section is a big one this year, there being 10 national dancing events and three events for pipers. Attractive prizemoney and trophies are offered for all classes.

Nominations for all field events close with the secretary, Mr R. A. Marshall, not later than Friday, December 10, at 3 p.m. Nominations received after entries close will be refused. Entries for bushcraft events close with the secretary, or Mr A. E. Cocker, Ryal Bush, on the same date.

Special train arrangements have been made for the meeting, which promises to be as popular with the public as it is with competitors. Although it clashes with the Tuatapere meeting, the Kelso, Greenvale and North Glenkenich Caledonian Society’s annual sports meeting on New Year’s Day should prove an attraction to runners and the general public. The programme is comprehensive and well varied, and good prize-money is offered for all events.

_ The main events on the running section of the programme are the Sheffield, the 220 yards Greenvale Handicap and the quarter-mile Glenkenich Handicap. In each of these races the prize-money offered is £2 for first, £1 for second and 10/- for third.

A number of field events as well as races for young women and farmers of the district will lend variety to the programme. The children have not been forgotten and several races will be run for them during the day. A challenge cup, donated by Mr D. Flanagan, of Christchurch, will be awarded to the competitor securing most points in open running events. It is to be held by the winner for one year. The present holder of the cup is James Watson.