Exciting Races Provided By Cyclists And Athletes

Chronicle (Levin), 17 November 1949, Page 7

Exciting Races Provided By Cyclists And Athletes

'Sprint")

(By '

The third meeting of the Levin Athletic and Cycling Club this week proyed to be another success and received greatly increased public support. The highlight of the running events was the 880 yards duel between . the scratc'h runners, I. Mudge and A. Lee. Both these boys, together with another scratc'h runner, R. Trainor, wasted .10 time in getting away from the mark and. after half a lap it became quite evi'dent that they were out to catch the limit runners, which they did. With 300 yards to go, Mudge, who was setting the pace, passed the leaders only to give way to Lee on the baek straight. The Shannon runner went on to wln by about 35 yards. After this exhibition it is certain that both these boys will be able to make great improvements before the championships are held. If they meet in those tihen it will be a race worth watching. A runner who is doing himself much harm is Hakaraia, of Otaki. His fault lies in the fact that, in anticipating the gun, he gets away too quickly and eauses a false start. He should practice his starts behind the starter when other events are being sent off. B. Lind, of. Levin, is just the reverse. He waits too long» to get off the mark wheh another runner breaks. He, too, may remedy that fault with some practice starting behind the starter. Women runners * should make a point of getting to the starting point well before the time- the race is due to start. On Monday two women were left out of an event because of their delay in getting on to the mark. Results get thef points, and points count when the trophies are presented! Levin Wins Pursuit Race. The Levin cycling team, N. Parker, H. Watson, M. Harper and S. Coutts, brougnt home the laurels whien .they be'at the Wellington riders, A. Pennington, G. Pennington, P, Murray * and B.

'Walsh, in t'he teams' pursuit race. The event was evenly contested throughout and a strong sprint by the Levin team earned them the decision over the last half lap. If future events in this class contihue in the same vein, then the judges will find difficulty in picking a team for the. West Coast championships. The three mile open event drew a large field this week. The front markers forced the pace from the outset and soon had the' back markers gasping in the - rear. The honours in this event went to T. Searancke'. This ri'der judged his sprint nicely and was well away from the bunch when he went past the post. • A very promising junior, N.' Rolston, led all the way. again in. the junior half miie. . ) He Was closely followed by the rest of the field and the race provided an inberesting flnish for the onlookers.. The flve miie paced race proyed to be a real marathon for all the large field except the lively Wellington rider, P. Murray, who seemed to find 'difficulty in keeping the pacers in front of him. Without a pacer in the last lap he was right. in his elemeht and his - sprint over the final.220 yards was a thrill to watch. The . : Otiki-, rider, D. Smith, also desfrves special. mendon for his gallaht effort in tailing Murray right up to the last half lap. Although beaten by many yards, 'he finished strongly. -