AMATEUR ATHLETICS

Taranaki Daily News, 24 September 1928, Page 5

AMATEUR ATHLETICS

THE GRAHAM CUP RACE. LABOUR DAY SPORTS IN VIEW. With the main harrier events over, runners can now look forward to the race for the Graham Cup which is to take place at the New Plymouth racecourse on October 20, when the Round the Mountain race is to be held also. This race generally draws a very large entry and is the most keenly contested race during the season. The cup is valuable, and besides there is a large number of other prizes and blue ribbons for those making fastest times. The distance will be the same as for the West Coast championships—six miles. Instead of going once round tlio course as in other years at the finish of tlie race the runners will go over the rest of the course twice, thus passing the grandstand twice. The prize list, tco, will be the same as last year, the first eight receiving trophies and the three making fastest times receiving ribbons, etc. Then there will be the usual consolation prizes for visiting runners, married men, etc.

As the race is now about a month off all runners who intend participating should get down to solid training. Leaving it later will bring no good results. Not only is there ths race for the cup to be competed for but there is the Labour day sports to bo held at the Sportsground on the following Monday, so that athletes can make the week-end one of running.

The programme for the Labour Day sports is now out and, as usual, has given the amateurs a good proportion of the events. The governing body of these sports each year puts on events for the amateurs and offers first class prizes for each event. Last year the two races run were a half mile and three miles, which drew large entries. This year there ere a number of other races added for the sprinters and the trophies offered are valued at 30e for the first prize for the hundred yards, quarter mile, and half mile, while for the three mile race the first prize is wortli £2. There are the usual other prizes for the minor places. All New’ Plymouth athletes at least should give this body their support, as it is trying to help amateur athletics, and unless support is forthcoming its efforts will be wasted. Another feature that eliouid be an incentive to runners to compete is that the sports are bring held on the Pukekura sportsground, which is both convenient and offers a good track. Two races have been put on for the cyclists as well, and should be a fitting beginning to the track season for those who intend taking on cycling during the coming season. With the holding of the Labour Day sports the track season for runners really opens too. This year all members of tiie local club should do their best for the West Coast championships. There is plenty of material in the chib if the runners themselves would only train consistently. Training for a few weeks and then stopping fer e. week is of no j good whatever. To get top form the I runner must train c /er a period and keep his training up each day. The length of the period of training will depend upon the runner's condition and natural capabilities to a great extent. When athletes first start training it is of no use going like a bull at a gate, steadily and ea-ilv is the best method. Rush methods prove disastrous in the end. It is of no use running long distances each day- thinking that the longer the run the fitter one will get. A runner who does that will make himself fit to a certain extent, but then lie will not be able to run any better than as if he had dfte a few days’ training. Long distances about once a week with shorter runs during the rest cf the week are best. For those entering for the Graham Cup race a run over the course once a week, with runs cf a mile, half mile and two miles will do for tho first week or two; then more Sprinting should be done during the week, while perhaps two runs over the course could be done as well. Plenty of fact running is one of the best things for a distance, runner when once he has obtained a good wind and lias a good idea cf the distance of the race. Long runs tend to make one stale and sluggish. When the track season begins runners ckculd not have to go more than three miles in any cf their runs and then no mere than once a week, unless they have not been going out with the harriers. Even then they’ need go the longer distances not more than three times a week. When once the runner is fairly fit plenty of sprinting is good and one of the best distances is the quarter mile. This distance gives one stamina and speed. Of course one does not want to try to run this distance too fast at the start, as it is very hard. The furlong. too, is a good distance, and two or three of these each night keep one fast and fit.

For the sprinters, plenty of starting when one is fairly fit is good practice, with short fast dashes. Distances that help to cultivate an even stride are also needed. The same applies to the distance runners; perhaps more so than to others.