HAHN WINS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, 8 February 1926, Page 5

HAHN WINS.

A GREAT MILE RACE. SPORTS AT THE PARK, .j " FAST TIMES RECORDED. Undoubtedly the greatest crowd ever seen at an athletic meeting held in Mastcrton was that which congregated in the Masterton Park on Saturday afternoon. After a night reminiscent of midwinter, and with a decided Arctic touch about it, and a morning that was little, if anything, better, and which brought despair to the. hearts of. the officials and the public who were keen on seeing the meeting of two great champions in Rose and Hahn, the afternoon broke fine and the weather was of the true autumn type, with the wind a little keen at times.

Though running and athletic events generally are not high in public favour just- now—and the people cannot altogether be blamed for their lethargy, for there is comparatively little to interest them when the ordinary type of-competitor is in action —the interest in the ajipearance of the Americans, who were to compete against ehampions from various districts, was second only to that which the visit of an English or South African football team would create. The public, too, were not disappointed—except in one respect, that relating to the defeat of the New Zealand athletic idol—for the running generally was good, and the exhibition given by the two Americans exceptionally so. Scliolz early gave'a demonstration of what a world champion he is, and he electrified the spectators by the magnificence of his running and the great speed he possessed when it came to the final run, which he made with a judgment that was altogether foreign to the usual effort seen at athletic meetings. It seined no exertion for him to clap on what seemed to be an unlimited reserve Supply of speed at the psychological moment, when an effort was necessary to achieve the victory. Seholz is undoubtedly a magnificent runner. In the 220yds handicap (final) he won with ease, pulling up, and equalling the New Zealand record of '2l 4-ssecs., made by J. K. AyresOosterlaak (South Africa) in 1922, and •by M. >M. Kirksey (America), in 1933. Had Seholz gone right out he would probably have equalled the Australasian record of 21 3-ssees., held by N. Grehan, of Queensland, and put up in 1924. In the 100 yards final, Seholz 1 was giving away up to eleven yards, and caught the field at seventy-five yards, winning by about six inches from F. Williams, after a ding-dong finish, in which the latter deserves great praise for his splendid effort against such a. world-beating -opponent. One can remember J. H. Hampton (the New Zealand champion) and W. T. Macpherson (the mighty Australian) running in the heyday of their fame, when New Zealand had a band of athletes—runners, wrestlers, scullers and boxers —which she has not equalled since. We could parade a magnificent lot —many of them world champions— Bob Fitzsimmons (middle-weight and heavy-weight champion boxer of the world), Harry Dunn (of Dunedin, the world’s champion wrestler, the man who beat Muldoon, the famous Amerilan, Duncan C. Ross, ex-world’s ehampion, and Eugene Kite e-bone, the famous sculler), Batger, Wood and sculler), Sullivan (another worldfamous sculler), Batger, Woods and Cuff (athletes with a world-wide reputation), Billy Murphy (a boxing champion whose name- was known and dreaded by pugilists in every boxing country in the world, and who had fought in every ring in every civilised country), Roberts (the famous Auckland runner), Barker (the great cyclist). We remember Hempton and Macpheison in their magnificent glory as 100yds champions, and we think that we are not far wrong in saying that Seholz is the greatest “hundred-yarder” seen in New Zealand since their day, and that is the highest praise that could ‘be aceorder to any sprinter. He proved his right to rank with them and with “Slip” Carr (who came along thir.y years later) by equalling the Australasian record of these three for the 100 yards, viz., 9 4-ssees., which is only afifth of a"'second “slower than the world’s records’held by D. J. Kelly (America, established in 1906), H. P. Drew (.America, 1914), and C. SV". Paddock (America, 1921).

Of course, “the?* match of the afternoon was the meeting of R. A. Rose and Lloyd Hahn in the mile. If Rose’s effort on Saturday afternoon against Hahn was an indication of his best form, then it may be taken for granted that the “Nurmi stunt” will no longer exercise , the minds of Governments. The American'-was very nervous before the pistol went, no doubt realising that he was up against the best man in Australasia, and a runner who had never really been extend-ed-and whose best form no one yet knew. Hahn was not only much over his usual running weight, but was not as well 1 as he would like to be, having suffered from an internal sieknuess due to a change of water on arriving at Auckland. The crowd was on the tiptm rf expectation when the fourteen competitors faced the starter, the limit man having 160 yards start, while two others had 125 yards, one 120, yards, and six ethers 100 yards to 110, yards' start, and as the pistol went every eye was on the two scratch men. As far as the spec'aiors were concerned, the other twelve runners may as well have been out o' the picture, for very little notice was taken of them. The whole of the vast trcv.d’s , attention was centred on Rose an:l Hahn. Rose led Hahn on the firing of the pistol, the American being close up. The first lap was run by the scratch men in 59 seconds. Rose’ still led Hahn at the

cud of the second lap, and they -were closing up-on the field, the time for the half-mile being 2.G 1-5. There was some comment at Hahn not taking a lap from Rose, as he was right on the Masterton’s 'runner's heels, but the fact was overlooked that this was altogether different from a cycle race, where it is looked upon as the proper thing for a competitor to take a lap. Heffer was going well.’ and was right in the picture/ Rose was still leading Hahn at the end of the third lap. In the final lap the struggle commenced in real earnest, and. the two champions came away from the field. Hahn shot away when the bell went, and Rose followed doggedly, making a great effort to get to the front. Excitement ran high, and the spectators gradually began to real] so that the New Zealand champion tad met his match. Rose made another determined effort, but Hahn again increased his lead, and at fifty jards from the tape Rose was done for. Hahn came right on to win in splendid stjlo by IS yards, in 4.1 S 3-5, which is only one-fifth of a second lower than the record put up in Masterton in 1914 by~J. A. Power, the American. Heffer, -who is over 40 years of age, was se'en ■vards away, third, having run a splendid race, The three-quarters of a mile was run in 3.1 G. -Hahn is a great sprinter undoubtedly, and the way in which he came away, when the bell sounded the last lap was something of a revelation. He made the pace hot, and Rose responded, but 'was tunable to catch the American. Round the back, with .Hahn cutting out the pace in great style, it was seen that Rose wonld have to.._have something more than his ordinary finish. Probably whore Rose made the mistake nas in not .making the pace in the third lap. Probably if he had done so he would have caused tho American to use up his reserve power to such an extent that in the final struggle the Australasian champion would have prevailed. Probably the American adopted the policy of hanging on to Rose’s heels until the final lap, knowing that his sprinting powers would give him the victory. Anyway, it was the sprinting ability of Hahn that brought him success. Of course, on behalf of Rose it must be admitted that one mile is not his favourite distance, and that it is really the bottom rung of his running ability. Rose ran the best mile he ever did. and that he is a splendid pedestrian is shown by the fact that ho forced the visitor to do one of his favourite distances in only l-ssee. below the New Zealand record —and a mile suits Hahn far better than it d° es Rose. Rose made a plucky attempt to secure the victory, and is deserving of every credit for his gallant effort, for he knew that he was running for the honour of New Zealand. Both he and Hahn received a warm reception at the hands of the spectators. It was a great race, won by a great runner, whose victory was secured against an opponent who, too, is a great athlete. Hahn did not start in either the BSO yards handicap or in the 440 yards handicap. Though Hahn has a pretty style lie is not such an effective runner as Scholz, who is a most determined sprinter . and has a great burst of speed over the last thirty yards.

The officials were as follow:—Patron, 3fr G. H. Perry; president, Mr W. G. Waterson; referee, Mr W. J. Candy; marshal, Mr T. Jones; handicapper, Mr W. A. O’Donnell; starter, Mr W. S. L. Dickson; judges, track events, Messrs iW. G. Waterson (official), P. Kelly, B. O. Smith, W. Hall, G. W. Sellar, Dr. Uttley, H. Bennett; judges, field events, Messrs B. K. Bayner (official), D. A. Pickering, J. Walker, -B. Drysdale, S. M. George, C. H. Hartley; judges of walking, Messrs W. G. Waterson"; J. Bambry; timekeepers, Messrs L. S. ■Kieol (official), E. Freeman, H. Keltic, J. Bradbury, -E. Jenkins, E. H. Lett; lap stewards. Messrs A. E. Evans, D. McKay; call stewards, Messrs E. Grantham, E. Eastwood; judges’ steward, Mr H. Peters; blackboard steward, Mr G. Hunter; gate steward, Mr B. Milne, -- grandstand and programme steward, Mr T. G. Yangioni; track stewards,. Messrs J. McKenzie (official), H. Bose, W. Shipley. A. 0. Edmonds, B. V. Skeet, J. Scott; marksmen, Messrs E. Selby (official), J, C. Johnston, L. A. "Wadham, C. X. Stilborn, G. Selby: megaphonist, Mr C. hen. surveyor, Mr E. Gully; secretary' and treasurer, Mr Geo. McKay.' The following were the results: 4 ' - ,440yds Hurdles—T. T. Vangioni ;(scr) 1, VY. Grantham (30) 2. Y.’on comfortably. Time, 59 1-5. \ One Mile Cycle Handicap.—W. Malmo (90yds) J, 11. Hill (100yds) 2, Chesgerman 3. Won by 4 lengths. Time, - 2.14 3-5. 830yds.—O. Scotney (27) 1, M. T. "Walker (62) 2, B. Gully 3. Won by 12yds. Time, 1.55. 100yds Handicap. —First heat: F. Williams (9) 1, J. Seholz 2. Won on the tape. Time, 9 9-10. Second heat: X. Wood? (11) 1. J- Gallagher (9) 2. Time, lOsec. Final: J. Seholz 1, F. Williams (9) 2. J. Gallagher (9) 3. Won fby nine inches. Time, 9 4-5. ' On© Mile Invitation Scratch Cycle Bace. —-T. Oakley (Masterton) 1, G Capper (Manawatu) 2, J. Seobie (Manawatu) 3. Won by 10 yards. Time, 2.24.

-" 120yds Hurdles.—W. Grantham -tycls 1. W.*G. Kalaugher (scr) 2, J. G. Seeats (syds) 3. Won by a yard. Time, 17 3-ssees. Three Mile Cycle Bace. —T. Oakley (60) 1, W. Malmo (180) 2, X. Oheo-.c-man (260) 3. Bobinson fel in the first lap. A great finish; a length each, way. Time, 7.1 S 3-5._ . 440yds Handicap.—H. E. Xewton v’) "l, R. C'owie 2, O. Scotney (20) 3. Time, 50 l-'Ssees. Hop, Step and Jump—W. G. Kalaugher (scr), 44ft lOin, 1; B. McKenzie (6in), 44ft 4in, 2. Two Mile Cycle Handicap—W. MaJjno (160yds) 1, A. Oakley (250yds) 2, H. Hill (190yds) 3. Time, 4.40 4-5. v One Mile Handicap.—L. Hahn (scr) 1, it. A. Bose (scr) 2, E. J. Heffer (90yds)

3 Also started: A. C. Dufresne (43 yds), C. Campbell (45yds), W Donovan "(05vds), €. Bowler (100yds), R- ■ im r bell (105yds), E. X. Gully <>• Coulter (110yds), S. Spicer (£<>> U. C. H. Anderson (120yds), R. E. stem (125yds), N. Trass (l'GOyds). A ou. bv IS yards; Heffer, who came fast at the finish. 7 yards away. Time, 4.1 S

Broad Jump.R. Cowie (Gin), 20ft 24 in, 1; W. J. Ivalaugher (Sin), -0L D’b 2;\t. G. Scents (3in). 20ft, 3. iSSOvds Boys’ Walk.-Wilhams 1, Xewland 2, Taylor 3., Time, 4.7. High Jump.—Mustard (2m), 6ft, W. Grantham (Sin) and G. J. Seems fscr) sft Gin. tie, 2. Bovs’ Motor Tyre Eace.-Eastwood Brothers 3. J. Smith and G. lles&el — Pole Vault.—G. Harvey (scr), H»ft Tin, 1; G. J. Scents (ISin), 101 t 6m, -• Eelav Race (four distances, -'-O' ds). —Varsity team (Ivalaugher, Si-cuts, Hill and Scholz (America) 1; Mas citon team 2, Ohmipie team 3. 1«, 3.34 2-5. Scholz won the race for ' aisity by winning from R. Dull} b} d