HARRIER RACING

Waikato Times, Volume 117, Issue 19597, 8 June 1935, Page 10

HARRIER RACING

P f lG NAPIER EVENT. WON BY HAMILTON RUNNER. SUCCESS OVER SIX-MILE COURSE. Five members of Hie Hamilton Harrier Club, F. Butler, P. 'Olliver, S. Ready, A. Bloore and E. J. Henshall were among the big held of competitors which took part in the annual six mile road race at Napier on Monday, June 3. The event was won against strong opposition by Henshall, with two Napier runners in second and : third places. Although the race has been a feature of the King’s Birthday for the past three years, it is quite safe to say that } in the number of competitors, in the | interest taken in the race and In the I high standard of performance put up, . this year's event far surpassed those ; which have preceded it, says the Hawke’s Bay Herald, in describing the ! event. The race is conducted under I the auspices of the Napier Amateur | Athletic and Cycling Club, and, as in I the case of the cycling road race, run almost simultaneously, the cliub is to be congratulated upon having staged two isuch attractive events, and given the public the opportunity of witness- | ing two of the finest sporting contests seen for some time. The whole of the j arrangements were carried out by the { club officials, assisted by the Greendale I Cycling Club in one -section, and the j Napier Harriers’ Club. Representative Entry. In the harriers’ road race, competitors came from Hamilton, Wellington, Wanganui and Hastings, in addition to a large contingent from, -the Napier club, and the visitors included G. Weller (Wanganui) and A. Stephens (Wellington), who are reoognised as two of the best road racers in the Dominion and who were on scratch. The race provided a really good contest and the first dozen finished in close order, while there was not a very great distance separating the winner from the last man to finish. There were 26 starters, exactly the same number as in the cycling road race, and about 20 of them saw the distance out.

For the first time in the district, radio was used to broadcast not only the results of the cycling and harriers’ road races, but also descriptions of Ihc progress of the race from various points. Tlie innovation was very successful indeed, and proved a very great convenience. Very complete arrangements had been made for the trial by the officials of the Napier Amateur Athletic and Cycling Club, and everything passed off without the slightest hitch.

Describing the Race. A motor car equipped with a shortwave radio, followed the competitors in both races, and from various points transmitted the description of the races to the sound-shell on the Marine Parade, from which it was relayed to the Athletic and Cycling Club’s loud speaker, placed on the sound platform. The relaying was very distinct and the 2000 or 3000 spectators on the Marine Parade, as well as those with wireless installations, were able ’to listcn-in to the descriptions of the various races, even though the com- ■ petitors were out of sight. ! Ju the harriers’ road race, there-was | a much more sustained interest in the j Running as the descriptions showed j showed the back markers drawing | closer 10, and then passing Ihc limit ! men. and Ihc -changes in position in - ihe run home down the Parade from jAwalolo. The excitement grew among ! Ihc spectators as ihe men closed in j and it was evident Unit the finish was , likely lo be close. As a mailer of fact, il was only in Ihe last quarler of a mile that Henshall, Ihc Hamilton rmi- ■ ncr, collared .1. Rogers, of Napier, hut i ]!en>shaH’s finishing effort was a fine ' one, and lie literally walked away in the last hundred yards, winning by j ten yards. Hendry was a good third, and the next dozen runners all closely following.