HARRIERS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 111, 13 May 1931, Page 5

HARRIERS

—(By

JOG-TROT")

Marked improvement was shown by harriers generally on the ’un last Saturday when they covered "1 miles of fairly heavy country. The members were divided into two packs for the first time this year, and the innovation proved quite successful. Last year there were some four or jive class •» or packs of runners and it will not be long before the same system will have to be re-introduced. During the run in there was a lot of stringing out and several of the weaker or less experienced runners found themselves well in the rear. New members in particular shone up well on the day and one, A. Bourgeois, ran into fourth place with the senior pack, which was no mean feat for ras first run out with the harriers. He is well known in the athletic world, atid it is to be hoped that he will turn out regularly with the club and take his place among the leading men. J. Piercy, S. Swan, E. Gowan, C. Harrison, M. Granville and M. Stevenson were other new mem’ ers to show up well, and by their performance they give promise of combining to make first-class opposition for the faster run ners when the handicapping system is brought to bear. The three Bilderbccks uro going to make names for them selves before they have run many more miles. Their style is good and their action easy, and the fact that they are all big and .veil built will go to dispe any idea that heavy runners do not always shine. Considerably more attention was paid to the climbing of fences and the remarks of the captain on this subject received attention. Members cannot be too careful of this point, and they must learn to respect the fences, even though it may mean that they lose a few yards during a race. Memo: Climb all fences as near as possible co a post, and the last man through a gate must see that it is closed. All the older members put up good performances on Saturday also, and quickly overtook and passed the slower pack to show them the way over the country. Johnston was in the lead for most of the way with Weller hard on his heels. Hoskins, Cave and Clark were travelling along well, while the captain, G. Moore, for the first time out this season, was well pleased with his form. It was good to sec him with the pack again and leading them in the way they should go. Trainer Davis is well pleased with his charge, and is looking confidently forward to the annual brush with Masterton for the Benson Trophy. Any Harrier who wishes to know anything about the ins and out of running and harrier work will find the trainer a mine of information. Long walks are advocated for those who are taking their work seriously, and they will find that it will bo a steady means of keeping them fit and will tend to promote stamina. Runs are not to be recommended for training, because most of the training for harrier work has to be carried out at night, and when covering rough country injury i likely to be suffered by coming into contact with some unseen pbject. The run next Saturday will be held from the premises of the Fresh Food and Ice Company, while the week following Mr Roland Young, vice-presi-dent of the club, will entertain the runners. It. is expected that a team race will be held so that all those who wish to try themselves out should take the opportunity of a good work-out over the Bramwell Course next week. The committee will do well, however, to watch the younger members to see that they be not over-.' trained by a race at this stage of the season. Some of them appear to be only half-way through their teens, and a race might not be co their advantage. Masterton Enthusiastic. The Wanganui Harriers will no doubt be interested in the following paragraph taken from the Evening Post: — “A large attendance of runners and supporters assembled at the Masterton Oval for the official opening. Mr L. Bond, chairman of the Harrier SubCommittee, wished the runners and the , club a successful season, and Mr C. Wills formerly declared the season open. The 48 runners were then divided into teams of four, and were dispatched on their 21 miles’ journey at half-minute intervals by Mrs Shaw. The race was won by ‘ho following team. —J. Wing, H. Boyes, J. Mulvey, G. A. Burns, with W. Pointon, R. Dudley, G. Kempton, J. Carter see ond. Members and supporters were afterwards entertained at the Kiosk. Mr A. Keats (club chairman) extended a hearty welcome to the Wellington offi cials, and thanked them for the interest taken in the country lub. Mr J. Goodall and L. Bond briefly replied. Mr G. Wink, club captain, stressed the need of serious training by members in order to retain the Sanders Cup f rom Hutt and the Benson Trophy from Wanganui. Club colours and jerseys should be acquired by all members not possessing them as soon as possible. Nothi'g looks better than to see a long string or a big bunch as the case may be, oi runners out. over the country with the club colours and nothing looks mon* ragged than to see them all wearing <dd looking jerseys and shorts. Not only that, but. it adds to the prestige of th? club and gives it. a definite st.uul ing. Should the day be cold and the runner does not care to str p right off to the work, or should he do.sire to rei.ueo surplus weight, it wou'd be as, .veil if the members could weir plain w hite sweaters.

Weller and G. Johnston who seemed to be among the dwarf members last, year have added considerably to their height during the summer. Weller is running well and it is expected that he will again distinguish himself this year when the racing commences. Probably his increased height will allow him a longer stride. G. Johnston will also be a stronger youngster than last, year and will probably follow the footsteps of his well known brother. Toomath anil Irwin both of whom showed up to advantage last year were striding out well on Saturday and between the two of them they seem to be the lony and the short of it. Payne also put up a good performance though at the last few hundred yards ho decided that he had done a hard day’s work and eased up. Last year he persevered and improved “out of sight” and it is hoped that he will maintain the effort which he exerted. Edwards ran convincingly and with his usual determination.

There was once a time when he used to come in about ten minutes after everybody else and seemed to enjoy it as a big joke. His determination has re warded him and among his class he has always to be reckoned with, especially during the last quarter of a mile. While there is no doubt that the club is going to put out better packs this year than it has ever had it must not forget that their opponents, and especially the Mustcrton men, have also increased in numbers and arc looking forward to a successful season. They will be just as strong when the time comer fo r the Benson Trophy to be contested as they have ever been and the races will not be any the easier because the Wanganui Club has improved. It was noted that the majority of runners commenced smoking immediately after the run last Saturday. This seems almost a case of robbing Peter to pay Paul: to spend weeks in hard training trying to become fit but all the while spending hours undoing a lot of the good work.