TEMUKA TO TIMARU

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18618, 14 July 1930, Page 13

TEMUKA TO TIMARU

COMBINED HARRIERS’ RACE. WON BY J. G. BARNES. The Combined Timaru Harrier Clubs held their fourth annual road race from Temuka to Timaru in fine weather on Saturday. The previous day’s rain had freed the road of dust, and the course was in good order. Eighty-three competitors, including representatives from Christchurch and Dunedin, left the mark at Temuka, compared with 67 last year. J. G. Barnes (Civil Service. Dunedin), last year's winner, again annexed honours for first and fastest time, covering the distance in the record time of 59 minutes 9 2-ssec-onds, which is 3-5 seconds better than the time established by R. Hillary in 1927. Earnes has a very creditable record for the past two seasons. For two years in succession he has won the Christchurch Harier teams’ race, gained fastest time in the 81 miles, Port Chalmers to Dunedin road race, and yesterday marked his second success in the Temuka to Timaru event. The race had been won previously as follows: 1927 R. Hillary (59min lOsecs). 1928 C. G. Mahan (64min 31sec). 1929 J. G. Barnes (61min 40 3-ssec). Considerable public interest was taken in the race. a large crowd assembling at Temuka to see the runners off. The competitors were accompanied by a long procession of cars, which, however, did not interfere with the running of the race, and as the surface had been bound by the rain of Friday, they did not this year raise the usual amount of dust.. Leaving Temuka at 3 o'clock, the first men were scheduled to arrive at the finishing point on Caroline Bay an hour later, and by 4 o’clock a small crowd had gathered in the vicinity of the Viaduct and the Band Rotunda. Of the 83 starters, the majority completed the course, for which they received a certificate. The arrangements were carried out by the following officials:—Supervisor, Mr J. A. Norrie;' starter, Mr E. D. Mcßae; timekeepers, Messrs J. Fraser, W. Young. J. O’Leary; number stewards, Messrs C. W. Cameron. F. S. Cave and A. Foden; judges, Revs. C. W. Duncumb, A. J. H. Dow. Messrs J. A. Norrie, R. Sinclair, F. S. Cave, and E. Firkin; handicappers, Messrs A. D. Mcßae, A. Foden, G Hetherington and R. Lund. The Race Described. Punctually at 3 o’clock, the field lined up near the Temuka Post Office, and from a good start, set out on their 12-mile fun. Barnes (Dunedin), Eaton (Timaru), Broadhead (Timaru) and Anderson (Dunedin), were in front at the Opihi bridge, end soon had a lead on the tail of the field. At the Seadown School crossroads, Barnes had gained slightly on Eaton, who was closely followed by Anderson. Ten yards further back, Pascoe (Christchurch) held a 30 yards advantage over Park (Christchurch) and Ward (Dunedin), with Broadhead (Timaru) 100 yards away, leading a straggling pack. From that point on, Barnes cracked on the pace, and by the time the Washdyke Racecourse was reached, had established a lead of nearly 10 chains from Anderson, who had drawn ahead of Eaton by about 20 yards. Pascoe, who was running easily, had caught Eaton at this point, being followed by McKnight and Brown (Dunedin), over 200 yards

away. Broadhead had improved his position, and was then lying in seventh place, 20 yards ahead of Ward. At this stage the runners were strung ; out over a couple of miles. The hills . coming into Timaru checked the j runners slightly, but when the leaders ! were sighted it was evident that j Barnes held an unassailable position,i and, without shortening his stride, he 1 came on strongly, showing no signs of distress, to win by nearly 400 yards from Anderson, who had put 150 yards between himself and Eaton, the third man home. Fifty yards further: back came Brown, who was close to Eaten at Waimataitai, having opened up a large gap from Pascoe, who filled fifth place. Then followed Smith, Park, McKnight and Broadhead. Barnes led the field throughout, and ran a good race for a well-earned victory. Following were the times:— J. G. Barnes (Civil Service, Dunedin) 59mins 9 2-ssecs 1 S. A. Anderson (Leith, Dunedin) COmins 30secs 2 J. Eaton (Timaru) 60min 45isecs 3 E. C. Brown (Civil Service, Dunedin) 60mins 53?ecs 4 J. D. Pascoe (Christchurch) 62mins 9 4-ssecs 5 L. Smith (Christchurch) 62mins 35 4-ssecs 6 A. Park (Christchurch) 62mins 48 l secs 7 G. McKnight (Civil Service, Dunedin) 62mins 55secs 8 Scaled Handicap. L. Smith (Christchurch, lOmins) 52mins 35 4-ssecs 1 A. Carter (Christchurch, 13 mins) 53mins 13secs .2 N. P. Alcorn (Christchurch, 14 mins) 53mins 23secs 3 L. Milner (Christchurch, 12mins) 55mins 54isecs 4 I. Marshall (Timaru, lOmins) 56 min 7isecs 5 W. Parrott (Christchurch, 12mins) 56mins llsecs 6 Teams’ Race. The teams’ race for the Cameron Banner resulted as follows: Civil Service (J. G. Barnes 1, E. C. j Brown 4, G. McKnight 8. D. i McKernan 13, J. Kennedy 14) 40 points 1 Leith, Dunedin (S. Anderson 2, G. Ward 10. S. Parker 16, R. Watson 20, S. King 32) 80 points 2 Combined Timaru Harriers (J. Eaton 3, G. Broadhead 9, E. Wilson 22, A. Harper 25, R. Lund 27) 86 points 3 A special prize, donated by the Mayor of Timaru, for the first unplaced Timaru man home was won by G. Broadhead. Competitors Entertained. The competitors were entertained at a smoke concert in the Stafford on Saturday evening, when there were approximately 100 harriers present. Mr J. A. Norrie presided, and with him were associated the Mayor (Mr Wm. Angland), Mr E. C. Foot, and Rev. H. T. Peat. After the honouring of the loyal toast, Mi* Angland expressed pleasure at being afforded the opportunity of being present at such a pleasant function. He wished, in the first place, to congratulate the winning team on their success, and also to welcome the visitors to Timaru. He hoped that their stay would be a pleasant one, and that they would take away with them many happy recollections. Mr C. W. Cameron expressed the opinion that it was the visitors who made the race such a success. Without them, interest would soon wane, and he thanked them for their support, expressing the hope that it would be maintained. Mr E. A. Sayers (Christchurch) thanked the Mayor for the welcome 1 he had extended to the Christchurch and Dunedin representatives. In his opinion, one of the most popular]

events in harrier racing was the Temuka to Timaru road race. He offered his congratulations to the three placed men, Barnes, Anderson and Eaton. The trophies won were then presented by Mr Angland, amidst applause. Rev. H. T. Peat took the opportunity of making a small presentation to Mr Metson, on behalf of the Methccu ,t Club. Metson had been instrumental in forming the Club, and it was regretted that he was leaving the district. He could be assured of the best wishes of his fellow harriers in Timaru, and was asked to accept a small token of the esteem in which they held him. ‘ In proposing the toast of “The j Officials.” Mr G. L. Austin (Christ- j church) congratulated those in charge i of the race on the expeditious manner ! in which the arangements had been j carried out. It was most gratifying to participate in such a well-organised event. Mr E. D. Mcßae responded. During the evening, musical items were contributed by Messrs L. Firkin, Campbell and E. C. Brown (Dunedin). 1