FAST MILE RUN

Waikato Times, Volume 126, Issue 21036, 12 February 1940, Page 11

FAST MILE RUN

V. P. BOOT RETURNS 4-15 4-5 EFFORT IN STEADY RAIN (By Telegraph.—Press Association) WELLINGTON, Sunday The Centennial mile race at the Wellington Amateur Athletic Centre’s meeting at the Basin Reserve yesterday afternoon brought together five of the best milers in the country. In a great race the British Empire and New Zealand half-mile champion and record-holder, V. P. Boot, scored a win in the great time in steady rain of 4m 15 4-ss. The starters were:— Boot (Wellington), S. J. Wade (Auckland), W. A. C. Pullar (Masterton), C. Dickie (Wellington), C. H. Matthews (Canterbury). Boot finished strongly and won by 10 yards from Wade, with Matthews third. Wade finished five yards ahead of Matthews, who had ten yards to spare over Dickie, with A. C. Pullar, the national champion, well back last. The time of 4m 15 4-5 s for the race was astonishing for such conditions. The outstanding competitor was Dickie, the youngest of the field, who should have a bright future. Wade ran approximately 4m 17s, his best performance to date. Boot, who is now an officer cadet at Trentham, was given a wonderful ovation.