ATHLETICS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17906, 23 July 1926, Page 10

ATHLETICS.

CROSS-COUNTRY CHAMPIONS. E. B. E. Taylor, who won the Canterbury cross-country championship at Cashmere last Saturday, had previously proved himself to be a fine distance runner, but, owing to his lack of training, it was expected that M’Kee would be too good for him, especially on the flat. However, although M’Kee made the pace verv hot at the start, Taylor hung on to him well and at the water jump he was practically on terms with the leader. From then on laylor had the race to himself and he ran home an easv winner over a minute ahead of M’Kee, who ran a very creditable race to finish second. Last winter Taylor only ran once or twice with the harriers and he did not start in the open championship. However, he ran in the college steeplechase later in the year, easilv securing fastest time and badly* beating J. L. Allen, who had previously won the Canterbury cross-country championship. On the track last summer, Taylor showed fine form. In the Canterbury championship he was beaten by Nalder, but later his running improved, and at the New Zealand University tourney at Dunedin at Easter he won the mile and three-mile championships, A. D. Priestly, of Victoria College, being one of those to finish behind Taylor in both htese races. In the second race between R. A. Rose and Lloyd Hahn at Wellington, Priestly had started off fifty yards, and he won the race, Rose finishing second about ten yards away, with Hahn about fifth. Therefore. Taylor’s form at Dunedin was splendid. On Saturday Taylor’s jumping was a great asset, and he thoroughly deserved his win, which was very popular. J. M’Kee, who ran second to E. B. E. Taylor in the Canterbury crosscountry* championship last Saturday*, is an ex-Wellington harrier. M’Kee ran very well, and he was unlucky to run up against such a champion as Taylor. Last winter M’Kee was picked to represent Wellington in the New Zealand cross-country championship at Dunedin, but he was unable to make the trip. However, he ran in the Australasian championship at Wellington, running a very creditable twelfth. M’Kee has also shown fair form on the track. 0. G: Mahan, third man home in the Canterbury cross-country championship last Saturday, is one of the most enthusiastic members of the Christchurch Harrier Club. He has turned out to every run this season, and has inevitably performed well. Last year he ran second in the championship to T. L. Allen, and later in the season he won Mr A. Holloway’s medal for a maiden race. lie is a very* consistent performer and deserved to finish well up on Saturday*.