ATHLETICS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19968, 7 June 1920, Page 3

ATHLETICS.

——4 r-r-' ■ NOTES OH EVENTS. T (By “ONLOOKER.”) The Blatter of; forming a harrier cluh in Christchurch is, now in the hands of three oi' four Centre officials, and it »s understood that a' meeting of those interested will he called shortly to discuss the question.- ; Deyrnot Gale, the nineteen-year-old University student, is one of the most promising sprinters seen for years (says the ■ Melbourne “Herald” of May 21). At the university track sports this week Gale won three championships in the' one day. ft is only within the last few months that' Gale has come into the limelight. Ho did. not succeed in the Australasian championship, but sis weeks later he won the 100 yds ana 220 yds championships of Victoria. In the 100 yds this week, with a. breeze assisting him, he registered 10 l-10sec, lowering the record of A,. I). Ellis (10 1-osec), put up in 1911. Gale mush have had four or five yards to spare ah the finish, but it is doubtful if his record will be allowed on account of the fact that he was assisted by the wind. In the 2‘2oyds, on a heavy track, he was clocked to do 23sec—and again he simply galloped home. Later in the afternoon on a water-soaked track, with mud splashing in places, Gale was an easy winner in 53 4-oscc. Several experts who saw' Gale running last week declared that if he were properly coqched he had the making of a great in him. Later in the same week the Melbourne inter-collegiate championships were decided, and brought- to light another promising athlete in L. Almond, who won three championships—lOOvds (10 4-osec), 220 yds (23 2-ssec). and the long jump (19ft Pin). For a. seventeen-year-old athlete this was a noteworthy performance when the fact is also taken into consideration that rain had made the track anything* hut fit for smart times. Attention to the fastening of one's shoes, and the strength of the fastening, is more honoured in the breach than the /Observance (remarks an English writer). Only the other day one of the members of the Oxford University Haro and Hounds’ team in the match which ended in an easy win for the Surrey A'.C., had to retire from the race at an early stage, through the breaking of the lacc of one of Ins shoes. . ~ Mr F. A, At. Webster writes in “'Alt Sports eekly ”: —“I have often thought that- the held events might Weil be fostered by the Cross-country N Association, for it is-a dreary business waiting in the stand or at headquarters for the runners who have vanished “ into the blue,” and will pot return for an hour or more. During the waiting period the spectators would be only too pleased to fill in their lime by watching the efforts and evolutions of the field events men either in or out of doors.” This suggestion is somewhat similar to the one which'' was made here recently, that running races should he held In the intervals of football matches, and it is evident that those interested in athletics at Home are seeking a way in’which athletes can keep fit during the winter months. Commenting on indoor athletics, a form of sport that ,is greatly taken up in America, the same writer says:—‘"One groat advantage of the indoor athletic scheme is that it pro-' rides men with healthy exercise, which could not otherwise he obtained except by participation in football or hockey matches, excellent games iu themselves, I admit, but not suited to first-class athletes’,' whose main business it is to preserve from injury their limbs, for the purpose of winning championships and representing Great Britain at future international contests.” / "Whilst on the subject of indoor athletics the opinion of a famous Euglish athlete on the subject is worth noting. Ho says;—“ The only disadvantage which can be urged against the indoor practice of athletics is that injuries are more likely to result than when the events are undertaken upon grass or a cinder track. It is true that a sand-pit cannot, in most cases, be provided tor tbe jumpers to land on, but thick gymnasium mats of large size form a very efficient substitute. It is’possible, top, that bruised heels may result from the downward thrust of the leg against a hard wood floor in the act of taking-ofl, hut if pneumatic pads of rubber, or even soft rubber sponges, are placed in the heels of the shoes, this danger may be obviated: hut it should be carefully guarded against, for the bruise is apt to-be deep-seated, iind very hard to get rid of. Quite recently a. very great runner stated that he would never go in for indoor competition. as the shin-soreness resulting from running upon a wood floor was too dangerously painful to be home. As a matter of fact, the hardness of tho track has nothing whatever to do with, the soreness of an athlete’s shins, which i s a, condition duo entirely to the overstretching of the muscles on the outer side of the leg, which is caused by the lowering of" the arches o? the feet. The evil influence of the lowered arches extends upwards +o the leg muscles, so that the balance of pub upon the muscles at the back and front of the limb is deranged, and an overstrain placed upon one set or the other. It will be seen that all disadvantages of the scheme which may he brought forward can be obviated by a little forethought and trouble, ana f, lor one, find the scheme an excellent one, and feel sure ; that when it is adopted generally it will furnish ns with champions in those Ahonts in which wc liave not representatives even at the present moment.” The scheme referred to was that of the Polytechnic Harriers’ Club, who arranged evening meetings, lectures, and ' senior and junior championships in its gymnasium.