harriers

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 77, Issue 108, 9 May 1934, Page 4

harriers

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Gathering at the Aramoho Boating Club’s shed last Saturday, some 49 members of the Wanganui Harner Club participated in a six-mile run. In the absence of the captain and vice-captain, Mr. E. Carde took control of tne whistle. A fair pace was set throughout, and towards tho finish the runners became strung out. Consequently no run-in was held.

The first buneh, however, held a sprint resulting in a win for J. Mcikle, with G. Pepper second. Both members arc running well at present, and it will be interesting to see how they go on Saturday. H. Arnold was unfortunate in falling on a gravel path; luckily the injuries were slight and ho was able to continue the run.

Tho weather was ideal for crosscountry running on Saturday, although the course was muddy. Several creeks and fences tried the runners’ jumping abilities and good efforts were seen (also spills), some members coming to grief.

This year a points’ trophy will be commenced. Points will count on all handicap events, which should be interesting. Points will be allotted up to tho 20th. man home, each runner being allotted one number of points equivalent to the position in which he finishes. For example, one first man will receive one point, one second

two points and so on. Tho ri mainder will be allotted 21 points.

Members will learn with satisfa l ; tion that Mr. W. Rusden has been appointed a timekeeper. His ability is well known to all club members.

The run next Saturday will be held over the Airport course. One pack system will be used, and the handicaps will be published on Saturday.

C. Weilar was seen out on Saturday and, with H. Hopper, made a fast run down to the bridge. There they joined F. Kiddle, and finished with a fine sprint, honours being fairly evenlv divided.

Notable absentees were the Johnson brothers, Pickworth, the captain and vke-captain. Pickworth has contracted an illness, but it is to be hoped that he will be out again shortly. It was very pleasing to see tho spectators at the finish, including Messrs C. R. White, J. Weller and S. Harrison. There are quite a few of last year’s runners who have not been seen out yet, C. Anderson, J. MacKinnon, Craig and Sharland, are the chief absentees. P. Hickman who had a spell last season, is out again and seems to be going quite well. Mr A. Bourgeois, jnr., Jias resigned from the committee, and Mr. S. Harrison has been elected to fill the vacancy. Club members van rest assured that a very capable man has been elected, and one with whom the club affairs will be in safe keeping. E. Gowan and E. Carde moved along at a steady pace and did not bother to exert themselves last Saturday. Two old members in L. Edmonds and R. Sutcliffe were seen out on Saturday for the first time this season. A. Penberthy docs not seem to be very fit and is only a shadow of the lively Penberthy of two seasons ago. The following is the programme of runs for the month: May 12.—Pack race over the Airport course. May 19.—Sealed handicap race over the Bramwell course. May 26.—Declared handicap from the Aramoho Boatshed over Roland Young course. The New Plymouth Harrier Club A team will be depleted this year as 11. J. Brown, West Coast champion, may not bo competing. L. E. Fox, a member of the West Coast team, has left New Plymouth to reside in Christchurch. Probably the most interesting feature of cross-country running is team racing. Right from the beginning of the season the aim of a harrier is not to win trophies, but to gain a place in the team. This, no doubt, goes a long way towards bringing about keenness to co-operate. In order that a team may be successful, it is necessary for tho members to help the weakest link. It stands to reason that, if a man is running with one whom ho knows is faster than himself, he will receive a groat deal of encouragement from the mere fa’et that he is able to keep up. So, if the faster man is willing to help to keep his club-mate running his best, ho is going to help that man to gain several places. At the same time he may not lose more than one place himself. This is undoubtedly the best method of team racing, and, although it may not be possible to work a whole team on these lines, it is always a simple matter to run in pairs. In training, the whole team can run together with advantage to all concerned, tho slower members gaining speed from the faster ones, who will not require the same amount of gruelling training.

Many clubs throughout the Dominion have departed from the usual run-in and 75 and 100-tard sprints before the run, have been substituted. It is maintained that this system has

several advantages. Firstly, it discourages “loafing” on the journey by runners holding off for the run-in. Then again, everyone is fresh before the run, and is on an equal handicap footing, whereas the fastest man may be exhausted if he has had a fast run.

There is rumour of a trip to Wellington to compete for the Dome Cun. but as far as van be learned, it is still “in the air.” It would be a good move for the club to pay the Scottish and Clubs an official visit, for both of those clubs come to Wanganui for the Marton-Wanganui race. Scottish were not represented last year but have already decided to send two teams this year.

The Masterton Club’s official opening took place last Saturday and was attended bv 41 runners and 6 representatives from the Kaitere Club. The members are very keen and should show an improvement on last rear’s performances. An Auckland writer says: “There are a large number of men who run in the harriers for recreation. The interest is that of pure love of exercise and the joy of running over the open country in the crisp fresh winter air.

The fact that most harrier clubs divide their members into fast, intermediate and slow packs ensures that no athlete is unduly taxed, and so can run without thought of strain or nervousness. Of coursq, at the back of all this training and running is the aim of the provincial and Dominion championships. The big problem each club has to face is how to train its star men for racing, team competition and even championships, and yet encourage the member who actually fears and detests actual racing. The three-pack idea seems to be the only logical way to do this, especially when the slow packs are dispatched a good time ahead of the fast men.”