ATHLETICS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 20105, 26 March 1928, Page 4

ATHLETICS

THURSDAYS SPORTS CLARRIE GIBBONS COMPETING. Tho public have witnessed some very fine electric light sports on Cook’s Gardens this season under the control of the Amateur Athletic Clubs, and it is safe to say that the sports to be held on Thursday evening next will bo right up to the high standard of previous gatherings.

Clarrie Gibbons has nominated for tho distance events. He has recovered from the cold he was suffering from when he raced against J. W. Savidan and is expected to put up a great run in the mile event. Fit and well, Gibbons is ono jof the greatest distance runners in tlic Dominion and as he will be running off scratch, giving away big starts, this race alone should be worth seeing.

H. E. B. Newton, one of the best sprinters in the country, who has been off the track for a couple of months with an injured leg, has nominated for the hundred yards championship for the Marshall Cup. Jim Pawson (Wairapa half-mile champion), M. Wellington, W. R. Bradley, Guy Broad and Fraser McLean, all back markers in their respective distances, will be competitors at this meeting. Cycling. The cycling events have drawn big fields and Wakeley, the local charnpoion, will bo seen at his best. Another promising cyclist, “Mick” Darby, will bo a competitor and after the great race ho put up in the half mile at tho Standcn-Gray sports, big things arc expected of him on this occasion.

The lady athletes arc well catered for in a couple of sprint events. A novelty relay over a quarter-mile has been added to tho programme', four ladies (1.10 yards each) against two men (220 yards each). This is a handicap event, tha ladies receiving fifty yards start.

This will be tho last electric light sports meeting to bo held by the. Wanganui Amateur Athletic and Cycling Club this season.

LEADBETTER IN FORM INJURY FOLLOWS GOOD RUN. [ Per Press Association. ] ASHBURTON, March 24. Tn the final of the 75yds. handicap at the Ashburton Amateur Cycling and Athletic Club’s annual meeting to-day, M. Leadbetter (Christchurch) from scratch, equalled the Dominion record of 7 3-si?ccs, tying for first place.

In a later event he tore a muscle in his left groin and had to receive medical attention.