HARRIERS.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20274, 7 April 1934, Page 14

HARRIERS.

Bright Prospects for 1934 Season. COMBINED RUN HELD. Cross-country running which has done much to mould some of the greatest of the Dominion’s distance runners promises to enjoy its most successful season in Canterbury to date this year. Enthusiasm for the sport displayed by various clubs has resulted in large increases in memberships, and prospects for a season of keen and interesting competition are distinctly bright. This afternoon there was a muster of upwards of eighty members, representative of six clubs—Christchurch, Varsity, Presbyterian, Anglican, Baptist and Methodist—at Hagley Park, when the initial combined run was held. Many new faces were noticeable, and all present showed the keenest desire to get out and loosen up in the training run. After the'season had been officially declared open by Dr A. L. Haslam, president of the harrier sub-committee of the Canterbury Amateur Athletic Centre, and the runners had been photographed, the harriers set off on a five mile course. Some of the men revealed lack of training by the time they returned to the Rugby Union’s pavilion, but many who have been doing track work during the summer months showed that, within a few weeks, they will be at the peak of their form. Club runs will start next week, and programmes of interesting runs will be embarked upon. It is possible that two more clubs will be organised, and it is confidently anticipated that one will be launched by next Saturday. Dr Haslam expressed pleasure at declaring the thirteenth season officially open. Although by all the stars and the prophets the thirteenth was supposed to be unlucky, he was confident that the runners would raise the standard of the sport this season. He welcomed the runners who were turning out for their first afternoon’s sport. He congratulated those enterprising spirits who were endeavouring to form two new clubs, which would be duly affiliated to the Canterbury Centre. One club was being definitely formed, and the other was in the process of formation, he said. The increase in the number of clubs was all for the good of the sport, as the more competition the runners got the better it would be. The course followed led through both parks. The runners traversed the North Extension and passed through the Riccarton Road gate into the South Extension. They passed the West Chrlstchurch School and the United Tennis pj ub ’® paviHon, and returned home to the Rugby pavilion, a distance of five miles. The run resulted as follows: G. H. Watson (Christchurch Club) 1 H. O. H. Savage (Anglican) 2 T. Bartlett (Christchurch Club) .. 3 K. W. Robinsop (Presbyterian) .... 4 C. C. Gordon (Presbyterian) 5 D. H. Pannell (Christchurch Club) .. 6 R. Smith (Christchurch Club) .... 7 P. Jowett (Varsity) g Presbyterian Club. The Presbyterian Club’s opening run will be held next Saturday from 37, Bridge Street, South Brighton, at 2.30 p.m. Members will be the guests of Mr and Mrs J. Brunton.