HARRIERS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 135, 9 June 1937, Page 5

HARRIERS

NOTES AND COMMENTS In spite of the inclement weather conditions prevailing on Saturday large fields turned out for both the junior and senior races held by the Wanganui Harrier Club. The junior event took the form of a novice race for a trophy donated by Mr C. Weller, of Palmerston North.

This was won by B. Adams by a margin of over 150 yards, from N. Sturzaker. Adams assumed the lead coming on to the road for the last time and made the pace fairly hot from then on. The race was won by a competitor who thoroughly deserved the honour, for he has trained consistently for the event.

The course was a gruelling one, the country along the foothills being exceptionally boggy after the recent rains. A wind which at times reached force and showers of rain and nail made conditions trying. It has been said that a true harrier always runs, despite the weather, and Saturday’s muster speaks well for club members.

N. Sturzaker, who finished second, is a promising performer. With training he will improve greatly.

N. Grant finished in good style in third position. He has a natural style and should do fairly well later in the season.

The open handicap race for the seniors, over a distance of three and a-quarter miles was won by R. O’Donnell who ran a well-judged race.

R. Gilbertson, who finished second, was in the lead for a considerable distance and held to O’Donnell for a good time when he came through. Gilbertson has improved) considerably this year and if he can maintain his form should find a place in the B team.

R. Orr finished third after a good tussle with C. Cox over the last mile. Oox passed Orr coming down on to Brunswick Road but the latter came again to beat Cox by some fifteen yards.

That C. Cox is a solid performer on hilly country and in the heavy going was evident on Saturday. Cox caught most of the field either ascending Roberts Avenue hill or descending the steep and slippery track on the other side.

D. Ball showed improvement and appears to be going better this year. He has more pace on road than on country.

H. Clarke ran a good race, considering his unfit condition. He ran the last mile at a great pace. Harold runs well under all conditions, on country or road.

A. Clarke showed improvement in finishing in fourth position. He also is yet very unfit. It is considered that with more attention to training he would run in the B team.

H. Hopper came with a great run at the finish. He is running better this season than at any other period in his career, and appears to have overcome his abdominal trouble.

J. Carr and F. Kiddle did not appear to be exerting themselves unduly.

A. Penberthy again finish well back. His form is puzzling, for it was expected that after such a successful track season he would go well. Perhaps he is “taking it easy” for a while.

Local runners will be interested to learn of the fine performance of A. Bourgeois, late of Wanganui club, in finishing second to J. Riddington, in '.he McVilly Shield teams race. Bourgeois finished 140 yards behind the winner and his team won the shield by a margin of 16 points.

Jk A syllabus of forthcoming runs for the Wanganui Harrier Club is being drawn up. It is impossible at present to finalise dates very far in advance owing to the dates of the New Zealand championships and other fixtures being undecided. Here are the fixtures tor the coming month:

June 12: Inter-club rally at Dannei virke. i June 19: Bramwell course (from .Intermediate School, sealed handicap). I June 26: Bramwell Course, from .racecourse; first race for Benson Gate | against Masterton Harrier Club. 1 July 3: Captain v. vice-captain I (scratch teams race). | July 10: Projected date for return 'visit to Palmerston North Y.M.C.A. Harrier Club. Members wishing to go to Dannevirke next Saturday, and who have not already handed their names in to the club secretary, J. Carr, are advised !to so as early as possible. The conveyance will leave the corner of Inigestre Street and the Avenue at 12.15 sharp. i Members are reminded of the training runs held on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7.30 p.m. It is 'hoped to see a good muster out at ; these runs. {Y.M.C.A. Club. i An enjcM'able run was held on Saturday, a good muster turning out for 'a run over the Springvale district. The ! trail led up on St. John’s Hill, {through Virginia Lake grounds, and [back to the Y.M.C.A., where a hot i shower and cup of tea were enjoyed I by all. | It is gratifying to see the form disi played by new members, the outstanding performer on Saturday being R. j Blackmore. It is pleasing to note the i sporting spirit shown by the faster men in waiting and helping along the slower ones. Members are reminded that owing to the holiday the gymnasium class to be held to-night (Wednesday) will {not be held. The run on Saturday will ibe from the residence of Mr. W. F. I Hanton. • • • • Palmerston North Harriers. The Palmerston North harriers held their run on Saturday from the residence of Mr. and Mrs. T. Venn, at Linton. ’A trophy for the first man home was donated by Mr. A. Nash. The runners traversed a five-mile course which in parts was knee deep in mud. Following are the results:— J. Wood (smin.) 1; K. Galloway (lmin 25sec) 2; S. Oxenham (3min. 15sec.) 3. Fastest times:—K. Galloway 33min 45sec., 1; C. Weller, 34min. 30sec., 2. In gaining fastest time honours, K. Galloway ran splendidly, to finish in second place. Galloway looks a likely prospect for the West Coast team this year, providing he can retain his present fitness. Lack of competition with superior outside runners may tell against him, but if he trains conscilentiously and keeps a level head, he [should profit considerable by the ex- i [perience he \Vill gain in inter-club I raroc this season.