RUN FROM DUNEDIN.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 18844, 6 April 1931, Page 6

RUN FROM DUNEDIN.

CIVIL SERVICE HARRIERS. \ FINE PERFORMANCE. On Friday last a team of ten members of the Civil Service Harriers left Dunedin to run in relays from that city to Timaru, bearing a letter from the Mayor of Dunedin (Mr R. S. Black) to the Mayor of Timaru (Mr W. Angland). The idea of this endurance test originated with B. R. McKernan, captain of the Civil Service Harriers Club, who had experienced similar trials while in Australia. The run was commenced on Friday at 9 a.m. from the Dunedin Town Hall where the first man to run, E. C. Brown, was handed a sealed message by the Mayor, to be delivered to the Mayor of Timaru, by the harrier covering the final stage of the journey. The weather experienced between Dunedin and Oamaru was very bad, but good time was made, the distance being covered in 7 hours 51 minutes. A motor-can accompanied the team and as each man completed his “lap,” he was taken aboard the van, where there were excellent arrangements for making them comfortable. The team stayed the night at Oamaru, and set out on the remaining portion of the journey on Saturday morning, when the climatic conditions were good, although a light wind prevailed. The tar-sealed roads encuntered troubled the runners somewhat, and as one of them remarked, “played up with our feet.” Although the scheduled time for the final stage of the journey from Oamaru to Timaru was set at 3 p.m. at the Viaduct at Caroline Bay, this was not accomplished, but the last man to run, B. R. McKernan, reached his destination at 3.19 p.m. There was a good crowd to see the finish, and the total distance of 124 miles from Dunedin to Timaru was traversed in 13 hours 40 minutes, 35sec. The message from the Mayor of Dunedin to Mr Angland was handed to the latter at the Viaduct, and was as follows:—“His Worship, The Mayor, W. Angland Esq., Timaru. Dear Sir: Mr B. R. McKernan, who will present this letter, is recommended to your consideration. He has been and is connected with the Civil Service Harriers. Ten men are running a relay race from Dunedin to your city. I feel sure you will appreciate the fact that to run such a race means self sacrifice and hard training, and such feats tend to bring out grit and endurance. I also feel confident that you will welcome the boys in Timaru and help to make their stay a pleasant one. Yours faithfully (signed), R. S. Black, Mayor.” The letter was read to those assembled by the Mayor. Addressing the harriers Mr Angland said it gave him much pleasure to welcome the harriers. He congratulated the members of the team on their fine effort: especially seeing that practically half the distance had to be covered under most trying conditions. The Mayor said he was sure that it was only thenfit condition which enabled members of the team to stand up to the gruelling they had had in the rain on Friday. These facts taken into consideration, theirs was an excellent performace, upon which, on behalf of the citizens of Timaru he desired to congratulate them. Mr Angland assured the visitors that anything required to make their stay in Timaru pleasant, would be undertaken. The Rev. C. W. Duncumb, president of the Timaru Baptist Harrier Club, Club, and representing the South Canterbury amateur athletic centre, extended a welcome to the harriers. He apologised for the absence of the president of the Centre and his colleagues, who, he said were unfortunately out of town. He also congratulated the team upon the successful termination of their run. He said it would stimulate interest in one of the most interesting sports in the Dominion. He hoped they would have a pleasant time during their stay in Timaru. Mr McKernan suitably acknowledged the welcome, and called for cheers for the Mayor of Timaru and the Mayor of Dunedin, which were given with enthusiasm. Cheers for the Civil Service Harriers concluded the function. The members of the team were:— E. C. Brown. C. H. Tracey, G. A. McKnight, T. M. Brydon. R. L. Mandilson, A. E. Davies, J. G. Barnes, E. H. Smith, G. H. Garbutt and B. R. McKernan. They ran in relays In the order given They averaged 6min 30sec ! to the mile from Dunedin to Oamaru, i and 6min 40sec to the mile from Oamaru to Timaru.