WITH THE HARRIERS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 121, 25 May 1938, Page 4

WITH THE HARRIERS

GROSS-COUNTRY ACTIVITIES COMMENCE By “JOG-TROT.” With seveial important events Io he deeideJ inter on in the season. Wairniniii harri' i > .irt .■witling down to their building-up progrannne.

Members of the Wanganui Club participated in the third run of the season when on Saturda> an unda-the-whistle run was held at Gonville. The course was a good one and it the liking of all. The run-in over the last half-mile was ei brisk one, and there were few who were sorry c turn the corner into Heads Road. An encouraging feature of th activities of the club this season has been the number of new runners taking part. There appears to be som. likely material in this “fresh blood" and the club should improve ' « strength when they settle down and become fit. It has been noticed during whistle runs that there is a tendency on tdepart of some to lag at the rear of the pack, and although the whistle is blown on numerous occasions they never seem to catch up. There is u speed at which the pack should always travel, and the members who lag at the rear slow up the pack so that little benefit is gained by the run. It is not because they cannot “snap out of it,” but just because they “can’t be bothered.” On the other hand there are those who always want to be out in front. From the start they gallop away in fine style, and continue to make the pace until a blast of the whistle temporarily checks them. It will be noticed that those who lead the pack when the pace is not on are those who invariably tail the field in the run-in. Enthusiasm no doubt. L a desirable factor, but it should bo always bornin mind that the lime to be out lithe fore is when a race is on, and no in a jog. Once again the (dub enjoyed the hospitality of supporters. Mr. ana Mrs. Grant and Mr. and Mrs. Gowan spared no effort to make the afternoon tea all that could be desired and the runners certainly did justice ‘0 the spread. As the vice-president, Mi. H. K. Johnston, remarked, it wa. functions of that kind which assisted the sport in no small measure. C. Cox went well to win lhe scratch pack run-in. Cox really is a distance man who goes best in heavy c lunti y, and it was unusual for him to show such a turn of pace over a short distance. It augurs well for his future running. L, Stephenson provided somethin:of a surprise when he turned out 0.1 Saturday. Well known as a track athlete, Stephenson is an old member of the Wanganui Harrier Club, bui has not done any running across coun-

try for some time. He is no brilliant performer, although he ran some good races when at his bust. He iuiu a useful quarter mile, and goes veil over 220yds. Stephenson is popular, and his appearance on Saturday was a welcome one. G. Hallam displays a greatly improved style. There is no doubt that a season on lhe track did him a great deal of good, and he has developed into a runner with a splendid action In the past he has had a tendency lu run with his hands too high, and “climbed” when he became fatigued. It is thought in some circles that Iv will be the club's No. 1 man this yoai A. Clark and R. Orr had a goou “pipe-opener” in the run-in for their pack. The pack went out fairly fast, with 11. Walker in front, and Clam and Orr went into the lead with half the distance covered. Clark produced a finish that the other could nol equal. Clark shows an improved st>te and has a stride that has lengthened appreciably since last season. C. Fenwick shows that form which gave him several victories last year. He is of quiet disposition, and geneially is regarded as a “dark horse.” H? is a temperamental runner, and if the conditions suit him can produce an effort that will let him win off a back mark. At the end of last season he eased up a little, finding that a series of hard races was affecting The club is adopting a different policy from that of past years. No hard running is being done early in the season, and care is being taken m order that members will not have too many hard races nor have the oppoitunity to go ’stale.” It is thought that the past \ oars too many hard races early in the season have caused lurncrs to booome disheaitoned and to lose interest. Wanganui members will participate in their first race at the rally to held at Dannevirke on June 11, when clubs from over a wide area will b* taking part. As it is, only one team will be representing the club, and A will not be until June 25 that lhe club will take part in a really hard race. This will be the first “icg' ot the Benson troj hy contest with lhe Masterton Club. Wanganui members are settling down to steady training and walks are being held each night. An effort is being made to commence a physical cull uro class when exei ciset. t < commended by Mi. Al Fitch, will be pursued.