WANGANUI RUNNER WINS BIG RACE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 89, Issue 214, 10 September 1945, Page 4

WANGANUI RUNNER WINS BIG RACE

NAPIER TO HASTINGS (Special) Hastings, Sept. 9 The veteran Wanganui runner. W. J. Carr, ran an excellent race, In gruelling, summar-like heat, to win the 13-mile Napier to Hastings road contest, staged by the Hastings Harrier Club on Saturday. The fastest time was returned by H. Hopper, also of Wanganui, who finished fourth in a .formidable field of WellingtonScottish, Napier and Hastings runners. Wanganui competitors finished first, third and fourth, as well as taking the time honours. Starting at the Napier Post Office, and finihsing at the Hastings Post Office, the race, which is held on the concrete main road, is considered one of the most arduous in the Dominion. A large number of spectators followed the competitors in cars and on bicycles, and a crowd of between 300 and 400 watched the finish. Carr, off the 14 minu.es mark, ran almost the entire distance with his co-marker, L. Gren, of Napier. They assumed the lead in the .Mangat eretere straight, some five miles from home. Carr appeared exceedingly distressed with three miles to go, but he rallied and lock the lead over the last, quarter mile. Green lacked the Wanganui runner’s dash, and Carr went away to win comfortably. Hopper,’ off the three minutes mark, ran a fine race to finish 4th. He appealed to be exceptionally fit. and finished the 13-mile journey in good fettle.