WANGANUI HARRIERS WILL RUN CHAMPIONSHIPS ON SATURDAY

Wanganui Chronicle, 17 July 1947, Page 9

WANGANUI HARRIERS WILL RUN CHAMPIONSHIPS ON SATURDAY

(By Jog-Trot). The club championships of the Wanganui Harrier Club will be held on Saturday, when the seniors will race over a course ot 6'. miles, while the juniors will cover a distance ol 31-8 miles.

The club is fortunate in having a large number of competitors who will make both races very interesting, the likely champions coming from those members mentioned in last week's notes.

In the seniors a keen tussle- is ex pected between Charlie Weller (present champion) Stan Jelley, John Mitchell, and Dudley Mitchell all having their first tilt at the championships, while Reg. Cook will make the result much more close than last year. Both Alan Bevege and Arthur Penberthy should be near at hand when the numbers go up.

In the junior event a very keen tussle is expected between Jack Galvin and Jack Burnett, both of whom are at the peak of form, while N. Hooper, B. Kenning, I. Cradock and L. Rusden are capable of fighting r close finish out that will make the two Jacks move fast. MUST BE COMPETITION. To have champions in any club, there must be other members who run every week to give the necessarycompetition. This is seen in the harrier club with the number ot limit markers that always make races interesting. J. Greig is one that runs confidently with a touch of brilliance at times, he trains consistently and when he can steady his arm action a little more he should be higher up in the placings. C. Scaddon, having his first season in the seniors has not shown the improvement that was anticipated when at his top form in the juniors. Despite the sprinting finish he often puts in, it would be advisable to use some ol his energy during the middle stages of the races. He is a very good club member and with more training will soon be amongst the middle markers. H. Clark, turning out again after havfng seen active service overseas is gradually regaining that form that made him a member of the B team in 1938, and with his long raking stride h» is one that is very hard to keep up with. Another runner to rejoin the club after active service is N. Grant. He, too, is rapidly gaining the form that before the war made him a strong team member of the club. , E. Reu is a new member who is settling down to cross country running quickly. He already has had two Wins and that gives him that extra confidence required for bigger races later on. C. Goater sticks to the task gamely, despite the hard going at times, and with a little more training and experience he will soon make his place felt. N. Briefly has turned out to be a popular member of the club by his keenness and ability to adapt himself to all sorts of conditions. He puts his best effort Into the races each week and really does enjoy the sport. J. Harrison is another stalwart of the club who is again running after returning from overseas sendee, his outings each week indicate his keenness, and he is always a trier. He is noted for his very useful advice to younger members while racing. G. Bagley, having his first season as senior, has benefited from his seasons as a junior and is wisely not overdoing his racing, he has a good style and has the making of a good class runner within the next year or two, W. Towgood is showing promise for his first season, gradual? reducing his handicap that will soon up amongst B team members. With his determination he has already been amongst the place getteis and he is a very proud club member. K. Gibbaid, having his first season at harriers is unfortunate that he has to run in the senior class, the distances at times making it hard for him, but despite this, he should soon improve with the coaching and training of older members of the club. R. Burbush is another one new to cross country tunning, and althougn at times he finds the distances a long way, he finishes the races out, and with a sprinting effort. He is noted fot 'jis sprinting ability on the athletic field. Ray has also a pace-maker with him every week who can foot it over all classes of country, being exceptionally brilliant on the hills. The manner in which Major climbs the hills is an example to all. G. Edmonds is a good plodder and has the making of a class runner when he can stick to his training. He has the ability as is often shown by his desperate sprints at the finish of a race. YOUNGER MEMBERS.

Of the younger members, the club is fortunate in having such runners as B. Taylor, J. Quinn, W. Hickey, W. Harris and C. O’Donnell who are all showing improvement as they gain confidence with evety race. By steady training, without over doing it, they will be an acquisition to the club in another season or two. C. O'Donnell has already proved this by his gameness in the last three handicap races by registering two wins and a third.