HARRIERS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 141, 17 June 1931, Page 4

HARRIERS

(By

JOG-TROT.")

By taking first place in the run ovfci the Bramwell course on Saturday it may be considered that K. Johnston is the premier runner of the Wanganui Harrier Club. While congratulating him on his run and recognising him as the leading runner, it must ».• rem l n.bored that the second mat., <’. ’.Vel'er, was exceptionally unforiuunt: in losing a shod on more than one occasion. Not only did this leave aim many varus bcLnd Johnston, which leeway he pluckily made up, but at the same time it would tend to dishearten him. Still, even if he had not Jost his shoe, it is a matter of opinion us to whether he could hav® headed off Johnston on the latter's fori® that day. Weller was 200 yards In hind at the finish. The last long stretch of the Bramwell course is absolutely to Johnston's liking, and he might hav® been able to keep ahead of Wellcr.However, they will have another opportune ity of testing their powers of endura nee on Saturday week. In view of the recent remarks o® shoes and their importance in the harrier world it was unfortunate that suett an occurrence should have befallen one of the leading runners who had not met with a similar misfortune before. But it endorses the advice given ami adds emphasis to the fact that shoes are the : u'st important equipment of the harrier. Weller was not the only man t® l lose a shoe, and one runner passed finishing line carrying part of his fooiq wear in his hand. One does not like t.d bi.rp on the same string, ami it is wi*U a certain amount of regret that the sub-' ject has to bo mentioned again. There j appears to be an opinion in certain quarters that many of the members cannot afford to acquire the correct foot*' wear. If this be so then it is a remark- 1 able thing that most of the players in' other sports activities generally turn’ out on tho field correctly attired. Surely the keen man would gladly go without some pleasure in order to be properly equipped for his main sport. However, the recent misfortune should bo eloquent proof of the importance of good shoes for the harrier. G. Johnston is following well in th® footsteps of his elder brother and in another season or two he will probably be his equal. This youngster ran a plucky race throughout on Saturday, but with one noticeable fault. Ho has a very bad habit of glancing over his shoulder to sec how far the man behind him may be. By so doing he Joses at least a, couple of yards on each occasion. This is a fault that is noticeable in many other runners and one which they would do well to remedy. S. Minnell was the surprise of th®* afternoon. He maintained the sama position practically all the way through, the race and returned a good time. Hisl performance was particularly outstand-i Ing. in view of the fact that he had been headed by many of the runners who had previously outrun him. Eithel he was “lying low” like Brer Rabbit or else he has been doing some solid training. Anyway, he ran very well and it is to be hoped that he will keep up his position during the races with Masterton. A. Bourgeois ran steadily throughout the race and in view of the fact that he is also of rather tender years hi® performance was somewhat surprising, particularly as he has not been at the game for more than a few weeks. Of course, his work on the track is well known and his training would stand to him. Mr. Davis has his eye o.i Bourgeois and be is in safe hands. H. E. B. Newton and E. Carde had a great fight nearly all the race through. While Carde could get away from hit man on the hilly country he had to take a second place once the level land waf reached, and Newton bowled along at a great pace, staging a determined ma in the last hundred yards in the Attempt to head off Bourgeois, who was just too good for him. It is always pleasing to sec two runners fightingout the last few yards, giving evidence of the “ never-say-die” spirit. It is a big asset to the runner and to his club. A. Hoskins and Carde ran freely and were to be found together for the greater portion of the race. Hoskins improved his standard of running and gave a better exhibition than ho did some three weeks ago. It was most unfortunate that his brother had to pull out, at a time when he was leading th® field with Johnston. It is to be hoped that his injury will quickly mend; he would do well if he allowed himself a rest for the next few weeks. Since these were the first eight me® home it would appear that they will lay chief claim to a place in the team to I>® picked to represent the club for th® Benson Trophy. They have had experience in running and racing, and there is no doubt that as a team they will require very determined opponents to head them off. It. is interesting to note that K. Johnston returned a time last .Saturday that was 13 seconds better than th® time he took when he won the race against Masterton over the Bramwell course last July. On that occasion he covered the distance in 38min. Bsec., while his time on Saturday was 37inin. 55see. Weller improved his time by 30 seconds, while G. Johnston knocked off I min. 25sec. S. Minnell, who was beaten by Carde last year, showed an improvement of Imin. 2480 c., while Carde dropped back by Usee. Taking the performances all round it will thus be seen that the form of the members thi« year has improved and that they are 8 Junior members all put up a good performance on Saturday and evidently they feel so confident of theii ability that it is believed that they are intending to challenge the scnioi members to a ra’ce o Saturday when tho run will be held from the residence of Mr E. Pleasants. This is a very good sign and should tho race eventuate it will cause much interest and a good deal of sporting competition while in addition the competition, would bo a further preparation for the race the following Saturday. By the way, it is hoped that every available harrier will turn out for the race that day. Recently the Masterton club held a run at which 45 members took parr, and no doubt a large number of them will be coming to Wanganui.