Runners And Cyclists In Excellent Form For Early In Season

Chronicle (Levin), 10 November 1949, Page 7

Runners And Cyclists In Excellent Form For Early In Season

"Sprint")

(By

The Levin Amateur Athletic and Cycling Club's 1949-50; I season has started off on the right foot and prospects are brightfor some excellent meetings ahead. Cyclists and runners alike ' give the appearance of being very fit, even though the season has hardly got under way. There has been a definite sporting atmosphere about the meetings so far that has been most pleasing to both the ofhcials and onlookers.

It is yet too early in the season j to make an accurate forecast oi any athlete's form, but there are a few po'nts that can well be brought the notice of the runners and riders. Although possessing a long stride, the junior runnei:, R. Cameron, loses considerable ground when starting. E^e would do well to remember that short, quick steps are the essence of a fast start. There is plenty of talent in tlie juniors this season and J. Goodwin promises to be one of the best in Levin. R. Whelan seems to be lacking that essential punch in the last straight. He does not finish with the determination that was apparent earlier in the year. D. Jeffery and J. Hai-ris are showing definite promise. If they concentrate on serious training they should go well later on. Mavis Butt and Da\vn Williams sihow determination, but are lacking when it comes to the last straight. A bit of hard training together with their natural determination will bring forth results. Judging by the narrow finishes so far tliis season, J. Nyberg and S. Rose will provide onlookers with many thrills before the season is over. Probably the two fittest runners on the track at present are A. Lee and I. Mudge. They both finished well in the 660 yards race on Monday night. Tlie longer fiistances suit both these runners and hopes that they will do well in the championships this season should >be fulfilled. A newcomer to this district is J. Oliver, who is showing good form for early season sprinting. His style of running should be watch,ed closely by the junior runners ' especially. He carries through even after hitting the tape, a tliing that many runners do no do. One thing that has been noticeable in races this season is tlie tendency of a large number oi runners to wander across each other's lanes when running. Apart from the fact that a runner loses

ground, he-also liinders others 011 che track. An excellent tip for offen'ders is to select an object beyond the tape and in line with the iane. With the ruriner's eyes on this he or she is much less likely to wander. Cycling Competition Keen. Competition in the cycling events at the first two meetings has been very keen. P. Murray, M. and G. Pennington and R, Morris, of Wellington, and Des Smith, of Otaki, will prove hard to beat in the pursuit race next week and should provide air interesting finish. O. Connolly (Levin, has made a marked improvement in his sprinting, while Des Smith (Otaki) j is starting to strike form. S. Calder (Foxton) is a good stayer. Showing more speed this week was N. Sayer (Shannon) . Though inclined to ride a little high, G. Tatana has the makings af a good cyclist. S. Bonner turned in a fair showing on Monday night in the mile even to run third. Following in his fathers' footsteps, N. Rolston is a good rider for his age; he is always well up in. his races. It will not oe long before R. and M. Harper and H. Watson collect a race or two; they are gradually reaching good form. N. Parker has failed to show any form so far this season, but he will undoubtedly become prominent before long. D. Yeates still has plenty of sprinting abiiity. K. Broadhelt, A. Rolston and J. Taylor also rode fair races on Monday night. P. Elliot, still riding a low gear, is up to form once again. The cycling highlight of next week's meeting wiil be Lhe team's pursuit race between Wellington snd Levin. The riders are as follows: — A. Pennington,- p. Murray, D. Smith and G. Pennington (Wellington) ; H. • Watson, N. Parker, M. Harper and S: Bonner (Levin) . *•" The match race riders will be as follows: — D. Smith (Ot^iki) v. A. Pennington' (Wellington), O. Connolly (Levin) v. P. Murray'A Wellington), D. Yeates (Levin) v. G. Pennington (Wellington).