LOCAL ATHLETICS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19999, 15 July 1920, Page 3

LOCAL ATHLETICS.

. ~7WILL NEXT SEASON SEE A REVIVAL? ' The running sport in ' Christchurch n - as perhaps the harclesrt hit of all when the war panic, ,1b practically collapsed and it was hot until last season that any effort Ava's made to revive-it'.The championship and St Patrick's meetings. which took place right at the end of the season, proved that there are plenty -of runners- herortylio,are willing to keep the-.sport going once,they get a lead.' Neither of -the meets were, given the public support they deserved. but. from;an athlete’s point of view, both were highly successful. ; The trouble last year was that a. start was niade too late in # thc season, and just, when interest in the sport was starting to be shown, thei season ended. This Tcav.it will be different. Already a proposal has been made to form a harriers’ club, The 1 centre discussed the matter informally and decided to take no action. This' Was a false move. At least they shov.ld have called meeting of runners and "others interested and found their opinions on the matter. . Put the scheme has not been a Howe.l to drop al together and I am in great hopes that aflcast.onu Marathon laco-will.hc run off before the end of the winter, under the auspices of the C.A.A.C. The prime movers in the promoting of this -Marathon are -Messrs Si a Cox and C. H. Taylor. Air Cox has taken ever the .si'creiarrship of' thp-'Canter-bury Amateur Athletic Club, and Air Tailor is assisting hi in. They are already ’ straightening out • the books—no small job. as there has been no secretary lor some, years--and when they Have affairs in. order will set about arranging for the race. If it is possible,' the. finish will take place at Lancaster Park whilst one of the football matches 'is in progress. I understand that the money necessary for the carrying out of the race has been guaranteed. .

'Obviously tlie sure?!, way of ensuring ’u successful season is to' arouse interest in the game right at the start, and a' Mai-aillon race at the end of'the winter seems, very likely' to do. that, 'there will bo at least three, big meetings to prepare for—the. champion-, ships, St Patrick's and University. T don’t know whether Canterbury College Kill include' open events at their meeting, hut it would he a. good idea for them to do so. The Canterbury Centre should organise at least one big bancicap meeting before the championships take place. ' , There were no trophies for last sea-son’s-championship meeting. All the competitors ran for certificates. It is to be hoped that the centre will bo able to provide trophies next season. x There is one big .nieeting -which / should; |>e revived next- season and .which is always sure of good, support. That. i,s: the -annual '.nnb'ljc.' schools’ meeting', which used' to,’be' the “.big” day of the year for hundreds of kiddies, and which, by - the way. has brought to lilght ina'iiy' '.promising youngsters, some of’whom I noticed, shaking -thitigs up championships. Alt Colville, secretary of the Schools’ Athletic Association. ■ informs hie that, there is no Untie of Ibis meeting being revived this vear, but a big effort should be made nest year to start it agai>. it is important, above all things, that the school kiddies should he encouraged to go in for athletics. The holding of Senior Cadet and Territorial meetings hist year . was a, very, good idea,, and if they are continued they will encourage many boys t-o go in lor running. Next season will be a very miportanfc- one m running circles here. It will show, whether the sport is going to flourish or whether it is goina to drag on in a half-hearted, hall-dead fashion. Personally T think it r, ill flourish, but if it is to do so it will want the isup)poft of everyone who ts at all interested.