HARRIER NOTES

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19512, 10 June 1933, Page 5

HARRIER NOTES

BY “TRAIL” Fixtures. To-day—Norrie Cup at Waimate. To-day—Edmund Cup at Wingatui. June 17—Kennett Cup at Christchurch. June 24—Orr-Walker Cup at Bay. June 24 —Port Road Race. July B—Otago Junior Cross-Country Championship. July B—Temuka-Timaru Road race. July 29—7-mile Handicap Race at Bay. Aug. 12—Canty. Championship (to bt confirmed).

The Norrie Cup race, which is to be held to-day at Waimate, marKS the commencement of the racing season in South Canterbury. This race, which is the first of a number of interclub fixtures to be held during the sea-on, was first held in Wa.mate about four years ago. It was originally started with the intention of forming. and fostering a club in Waimate and so stimulate interest in the sport generally. ach year there has been .ncreasing interest taken in the event until it is now recognised as one of our most popular annual races. Last year, through the generosity of Mr. Gordon Powell, a shield was presented to the controllers of the race for com-

petition amongst teams from the various clubs. This has proved very popular and a keen spirit of rivalry

ex.sts amongst the clubs, co much so that a North Otago Harrier Club is sending up seven runners. This is particularly gratifying to the controllers of the race.

The race was originally held with the object of infusing interest amongst the Waimate sporting community and laying the foundation of a club. This object, however, ha 3 not yet been achieved, although numerous efforts have been made to establish a club and so strengthening the sport in South Canterbury. The proverbial “fly in the ointment” seems to be the Thursday half-holiday, and until the half-holiday becomes universal it would seem that efforts towards forming a connection in Waimate are in vain. However, nothing is achieved without effort and so once again we favour Waimate with this event.

All arrangements have now been finalised for the Norrie Cup, and a fairly good response has been made to the invitation for entries. A ’bus will leave Trinity Hall to-day at 1.15 p.m.

All teams must be nominated before the commencement of the race. A maximum of six men with four to count for points. All entrants for the Junior event are to be under the age of 18 years. An excellent and ample trail will be laid, and no difficulty should be experienced in following same. The course is practically the same as last year, the only alteration made being towards the end, near the entrance to the Main North Road. The race is to commence and finish at the Wa'mate Post office and is to be started at 3 p.m. by the Mayor of Walmate, Mr. Geo. Dash. Arrangements have been made to have pickets at any places which should prove tricky to the runners, and all gates and fences have been marked by white flags. In all there are forty-one fences the majority of which will not provide any difficulty in negotiating. The follow ng entries from the various clubs have been received:—' North Otago—A. Aikenhead, G. Miller, W. Lavender, J. Crawford, O. Evans, N. Carson, W. Walsh. Timaru—A. McArthur, H. Ward, A. Harper, W. Holmes, E. WiLon. West End —I. Gillon, D. Gillon, C. Langrish, A. Wilson, J. Alexander, J. Lobb. Baptist—N. Keeley, R. Holmes. Anglican—A. Cra : g, G. S mpson, I. Bennett, J. Darby, N. R. Johnston, G. Porter. Methodist—R. Nelson, W. McLeod, H. Henry, S. Jack on, L. Williams, G. Hutt, N. I. Rose, R. Metson. Presbyterian—W. .G Taylor, Geo. McKirdy, E. C. Segar, R. Barlow, G. Broaclhead, I. Greybourn, J. Finnie, E. Carnie, I. Mathieson, I. Powell, R. Taylor, M. Morrison, L. Maxwell, A. C. Mitchell, J. GLddon, D. Drennan. The following runners also qualify for the Junior event:— J. Crawford, W. Walsh, I. Gillon, A. Wilson, R. Barlow. The Methodist Club apparently have a spirit of the wanderlust. They journeyed to Christchurch last weekend, and from all accounts had a thoroughly enjoyable time. I think these visits should be encouraged and although the time is not ripe for extensive travelling it is visits such as these that help to cement the spirit of good fellowship between the clubs. Another fixture which is taking place to-day and inciting much interest amongst the harrier community is that Otago classic; the Edmund Cup Steeplechase, at Wingatui and run over a distance of three miles. The race is exceedingly popular and it is doubtful if any other race in the Do-

minion commands such a large entry. It is expected that 170 to 180 runners will face the starter. The issue in the teams race will probably lie between the Civil Service and Caversham harriers, with one or two of the other clubs making it interesting. Civil Service however, have such a well-balanced team that it must be very hard to beat. In the individual event, J. G. Barnes, who is very fit and running well at present, should be found disputing the honours at the tape. Others who will probably be handy are E. C. Brown, A. R. Geddes, L. C. McLachlan, S. A. Anderson, and J. H. McLaren. In this race it is usually found that there are one or two “dark horses” amongst the younger runners.

Similarly at Christchurch next week is the Kennett and Oll.ver Cup steeplechase. It is run at the Riccarton Racecourse over a distance of three and a half miles, and is one of the keenest races held in Canterbury. Last year’s winner was J. G. Barnes of the Civil Service club Dunedin, which incidentally won the teams race in this event.

It is a pity a team representing South Canterbury cannot be sent. If any Timaru runners are keen to arrange a team to make the trip they should communicate as soon as possible with the secretary of the Management Committee.