TWO JUNIORS FIRSTAND SECOND IN WHANGAEHUWANGANUI ROAD RACE

Wanganui Chronicle, 3 October 1949, Page 6

TWO JUNIORS FIRSTAND SECOND IN WHANGAEHUWANGANUI ROAD RACE

’Two junior runners, C. Smith (Hastings) and D. Robertson (Marton) were first and second respectively when the Wanganui Harrier Club concluded its 1949 season with the annual Whangaehu to Wanganui road race of eight and a-half miles on Saturday. Weather conditions were excellent only a slight breeze facing the competitors. i’he Marathon champion, G. Bromley, did not start, as he was competing in th e 20-mile race at Wellington, which he won, so that S- Jelley, of Danevirke, who gained fastest time, was off virtual scratch with a three minute handicap. It was 14 minutes after the first runner, A. Little, had left that Jelly set off after the field. On the early stages of the race, runners were settling down into a good steady pace, with very little changes in positions, but as they approached the halt-way mark, tne fittest ones were showing up and gradually overtaking those in front. However, Little was just holding the lead with Jack Harrison on his heels and Smith of Hastings striding well. Collins was near the front too, while Longbottom, of Hawera, was making a game race of it. Beliit had passed Just, and D. Robertson, of Marton, had displaced O’Donnell. Walker and Doreen were together here, with Charlie Weller on their heels. Jack Scott, of Palmerston had passed Locke, while Henry Hopper and Stan Robertson, Marton, were running together, Jelley at this stage being still a minute behind Robertson.

On top of Marybank Hill, Little was only 75 yards ahead of Smith, then Harrison hanging on gamely, with the remainder starting to bunch up. Three Marton runners wer e at this stage running realy well, Frank Hill, D. Robertson and Purvis, with the back markers starting to close in, particularly Jelley. Along the Putiki fiats, Smith had taken tne l ea d an d the effortless nature of his stride made him look a certain winner, Little having now resigned to a walk. About a minute behind Smith was Robertson, but h e could not make any effort on Smith. Goldsack had come through well and was trying hard to pace on to Hill, but over the last mile ne found the pac e too solid. As Smith crossed the finishing line, to take honours, he appeared quite fresh, then the Marton trio, Robertson, Hill and Purvis followed with less than a minute between the three. Jack Scott was next after having turned an excellent periormanc e for a runner of many years standing, his fifth place also enaoled him to annex second fastest time. Goldsack fought gamely on for sixth, then a magnincent sprint was witnessed by Jelley, who had come through the last two miles at a terrific pace. He passed about six runners in the last mil e and just headed off Charlie Weller across the line. This terrific burst of Jellej enabled him to annex time honours with case. The remainder followed at close intervals, only six minutes separating the first and last man in. The only competitor who failed to complete the distance was a colt. Results (Wanganui runners unless otherwise stated): —

C. Smith (Hastings, 9.00), 56.11, 1; D. Robertson (Marton, 7.30) 37.35, 2; F. Hill (Marton, 7.10) 58.04, 3; A. Purvis (Marton, 6.50) 58.25, 4; J. Scott (Palm. North, 5.50) 58.37, 5; R. Goldsack (10.00) 58.52, 6; S. Jelley (Dannevirke, 3.00) 58.57, 7; C. Weller (8.00) 58.58, 8; K. Beliit (11.40) 59.09, 9; C. Doreen (8.20) 59.34, 10; C. Longbottom (Hawera, 13.50) 59.49, 11; WTowgood (7.10) 60.13, 12; C. O’Donnell (7.45) 60.15, 13; A. Little (17.00) and D. Collin (13.50) 60.18, 14; H. Hopper (5.30) and S. Robertson (Marton, 4.00) 60.38, 16; A. Hoskins (8.00) 61.03, 18; P. Locke (6.35) 61.15, 19; B. Nesdale (Palm. N., 6.35) 61.24, 20; J. Harrison (15.00) 61.39, 21; H. Walker (8.40) 62.20, 22. Fastest time, S. Jelley (Dannevirke, 3.00 hdcp,) 44.57, 1; J. Scott (Palm. N, 5.50) 47.27, 2; S. Robertson (Marton, 4.00) 47.38, 3.

At the conclusion of the race afternoon tea was served at the Union Boat shed, and trophies were presented by Mrs. F. B. Clark, wife of the club’s president.