AMATEUR ATHLETICS

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20464, 2 April 1938, Page 23 (Supplement)

AMATEUR ATHLETICS

HOLIDAY MEETINGS AHEAD “MILE OF THE CENTURY” TE KUITI CLUB’S GREAT EFFORT (By “Nurmi") With only three weeks to go to the conclusion of the track season, interest is centred on the remaining open meetings. Thames will hold their annual gathering to-day. April 9 will provide a lull prior to the more serious proceedings of the Easter holiday meetings. Of the latter, pride of place is held by the Te Kuiti meeting on Easter Saturday. Indications are that this will he the most ambitious amateur programme ever attempted. Mile of the Century The outstanding track event of the day will be the one mile flat, carrying with it for first prize a trophy valued at £3 and valuable second and third prizes. This amateur “classic” should attract a wonderful field. Prominent milers who are likely to compete Include S. J. Wade (New Zealand mile champion), W. A. C. Vullar (ex-New Zealand mile champion and Empire Games representative), C. E. Evans (ex-national halfmile champion and runner-up to Boot this year), A. 0. Dare (Auckland mile champion), S. F. Kepple (Waikato mile champion) and short handicap men in A. W. Fell, L. D. Irwin, E. K. Trow and C. C. Feisst. In addition to the stars already mentioned there will be a score or more handicap runners. The scratch mark will be based on the New Zealand standard of 4m 275, w'ith an allowance of approximately seven yards per second. Given good track conditions this should be a real mile test.

ATHLETES CALENDAR April 2—Thames, open meeting. Hamilton club meeting at Hinemoa Park. April B—Hamilton club meeting at Hinemoa Park. April 18 —Te Kultl open meeting. Club meeting suspended. April 18 —Open meetings at Ngahlnepouri and Tauranga. Club meeting suspended.

Ngahlnepouri Meeting Organised by that former crack hurdler Reg Thomas, the N'gahlnemuri club will stage their annual meeting on Easter Monday. One of the main attractions of the day will be a 220 yards low hurdles handicap, and accoiding to reports the field will be one of the strongest assembled for some time. Tauranga Meeting The newly-formed Tauranga club will also hold a meeting on Easter Monday. The seaside club will draw good support from week-enders at their popular beach. A. J. Sayers (exNew Zealand 440 yards champion and Empire Games representative) will be a competitor at this meeting. Harrier Activities Commence With the track season on the wane, harrier enthusiasts are already astir. The Hamilton Harrier Club’s annual meeting is scheduled for April 7 and the season will probably open on April 23. A welcome addition to harrier ranks is the former Lynndale cross-country crack, J. Collins. In addition to marked ability in the spiked shoes, Collins has had experience on the administrative side of the sport. Last season he was secretary of the harrier sub-committee of the Auckland centre and will be a valuable acquisition to the local club.