HARRIERS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 100, 1 May 1935, Page 4

HARRIERS

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JOG-TROT. "

■■Cross-country” is the watchword (d‘ the athlete these days, and harrier clubs are benefiting by the. keen enthusiasm being displayed. The frateruisiiig of the three clubs Wanganui. Y.M.U.A. and Marton—is ait to the good so far as the advancement of harrier clubs is concerned. Membership is steadily increasing. The season is now in full swing, for ihe Wanganui and Y-M.C.A. Clubs ha\e held their official openings ami and next {Saturday will mark the official opening run of the Marton Club. 'i’he two Wanganui dubs have accepted the Marton Club ’s invitation to attend the opening ceremony. Any Wanganui Club member desiring to travel to Marlon should communicate with a member of his committee. At, the oflicial opening run of the newly-formed Y.M.C’.A. Harrier Club harriers comprised the field, while many others were t.here, together with supporters ami officials of the sport in Wanganui. A course of a varied nature, embodying portions of the Bramweli Course and the Boyes Course, was cox cred by the field. A handicap runin of of a mile was held, runners being set off in three divisions—new season's runners, intermediates and previous seasons’ members. The first men home in their respective divisions were: First pack, N. Hooper, S. Willetts 2; second pack, R. Orr 1; scratch pack, (’. Weller (Wanganui) J, A. .Collings (Y.M.C.A.) 2, G. Johnston (Wanganui) 3. As many important inter-dub gatherings will eventuate very soon, members should make, a point of attending their club’s weekly runs in order to keep in good fettle. Also by doing so. they will obtain useful experience, which is very handy when racing. A few more words of advice may be of use to newer members, continuing from notes in this column a fortnight ago:— Shoes, which are probably the most important artidb in the wearing apparel: If the race or run is held mostly over fields, swamp, etc., use spiked or ’oar shoes, or if there is a good portion of tar-sealed or metalled roads, wear a light tennis shoe, or plimsoll shoe. Always be sure that your shoes are well fastened on. either with straps or elastic. Followers of the harrier sport will undoubtedly be pleased In know that the council of the N.Z.A.A.A. has decided to nominate and send a team of six cross-country runners to compete in various events in Australia. Owing to this it. has been decided that the New Zealand Cross-country Championships will be held at Wellington on July 20. subject to 'the approval of the various centres. 'l'his will precipitate matters also for the different centres, in respect to their championships to select teams, and as the West Coast (N. 1. Centre, usually hold the race a fortnight prior to the national meeting, the centre championships will probably be held at Wanganui on July fi. The arrangement of dates of the various inter-club races that constitute a season’s work for the Wanganui Club are now well in hand, and definite, dates for the various contests will be announced soon. An enthusiastic annual meeting of the Marton Harner Club was held over a fortnight ago, when it was decided that the official opening of the 1935 season be held on Saturday, Al ay 4. writes “Stayer” to the “Chronicle.” On April 13 several members participated in the oflicial opening run of the Wanganui Harrier Club, while last Saturday some were present at. the newly-formed Y.M-C.A. Harrier Club’s official opening at Wanganui. Next Saturday at the official opening, Marton expects a large contingent of Wanganui runners as well as about twenty local athletes. The run, which will commence from St. Stephen’s Hall at 2.30 p.m., will take the form of a whistle run over about five miles. Members extend a hearty invitation to any runners or spectators who care to come along. Present indications are that, Marton club will be considerably stronger numerically this season, as several new runners are joining up. It is hoped that all intending members can be present at the u-fficial opening this G. Robertson and A. Gorrie have been re-elected captain and vice-cap tain respectively and with their past experience can be relied on to help and show every consideration to new members, especially in the whistle runs. Medals generously donated by Messrs. D. McPherson and J. D. Gorrie for attendance during the coming season ought to prove an incentive to members to turn out every week. Last Saturday three enthusiastic members had an unofficial run. over about four miles and thoroughly enjoyed it, notwithstanding the boisterous weather. Following a recommendation from the harrier conference last, season, that a team be. sent, at regular intervals to Australia, the tour to take place this year has the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Council’s endorsement. There is no doubt that the tour will be an impetus to the sport in New Zealand, and every endeavour will be made when the team is in Austialia to arrange an exchange of visits. J f an annual or biennial tour can be arranged there will be a further big objective for runners. AVith such events in view, the standard of lacing in the provinces should be raised considerably. While a high standard of racing is desirable, the mediocre runner should be entered for, .ind ns long as the, clubs leave the racing to those who desire racing, bv keeping m racing pack, the slower men will have their afternoon’s sport and at. the same time will realise they tire, helping to send a team overseas. Jt is understood that applications lor the position of manager of the, louring team will be invited bv the New Zealand Uoum-il from the various centres. As this is more or less an experimental tour, it is most essential that the very best man obtainable should have the position. Besides attending lo the welfare of the team, he will have to attend conferences in A'ieloria and New South Wales, and attempt lo make possible

tours at future dates at a minimum expense. Although there should be no difficulty in picking the team from the national championships, it will be necessary fur the council to appoint two selectors, one from each island. There is always the possibility of there being a dead heat or a cluse finish for fifth and six positions, and the decision c-f the two selectors should be satisfactory. With the official opening of the season now over, members of the Y.M.C.A. Club should be settling down to more hard training such as mid-week walks and week-end hiking as there are many important events coming off in the near future. First of these will be the meet held at Danuevirke between several strong harrier clubs, consisting uf the Masterton, Kaitere, Hastings, Alar ion and the two Wanganui clubs. As t-his will mark the first occasion on | which the two local clubs will race together over the full course, it will be interesting to see how the leading ) .M.C.A. members will compare with the Wanganui Club’s forerunners. The opening run on {Saturday after noon disclosed that the club has a nuihber of promising junior runners among these being G. Laing, who- finished third in the run-in for the juniors. Others in this pack are CJlarpur, who, though small of stature, has a good lengthy stride, which is an important factor in running. A. Chambers, another new member lo the crosscountry sport, shows every indication of being one of the first pack men. Other members who should show up well by teaming are J. Paterson, D. Buchan, C. Anderson, K. Marsh and A. Hanlon. Among those who have had experience in the harriers are H. Arnold, 1,. Cross and 'l’. Collings, the latter showing glimpses of previous form c-n Saturday by finishing second to <Weller in the senior pack run-in. 11. Arnold, when fit. will bp an assets to the club. Up has reprpsented thp Wanganui Club in the A team on more than one occasion. An old harrier, though new to Wanganui, is L. Cross. 'l’his member has had much varied experience with the harrier circle of the southern cities. Members are reminded of the training walks held Tuesday and Thursday nights, commencing at the Y.M.C.A. al 7.15 p.m. sharp.