AMATEUR ATHLETICS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 654, 3 November 1909, Page 5

AMATEUR ATHLETICS.

'W.A.A.C. MARATHON:MEETING.'.,,, i • His Excellency Lord Hunket,. who ; is patron' of the Wellirtgton Amateur Athletic Club, has intimated his intention.of being .present- at. tho ; spring carnival at the Basin H«serve; on: Noverii-' ber 9. ■■'. ' : - ■■■::'\ .;;• '■;:■. .'.'.■ :. ' ':'.-■ :\.\',, Nominations for the-meeting were to '•havo closed on Saturday, but as they are still coming in the committee is keeping tho list open for a day. or tw,o; Among those entered for the 100.yards evont is W. W. Woodger,.tho Australasian 100 yards ■ and. 220 yards champion. Onlookers, therefore, will have an opportunity of seeing tho sprinting form of the JPetone flier, which dazzled ihe Australian public*, in Brisbano in August last. Entries for the. sprint event number about n score already, and an innovation in the hoat-running is to be in-, traduced 'by, .•which .the' scratch' man; will be eligible to start in the' final'provided' he' secures, a third place in his heat.; The procedure will be: unaltered ; as: regards the "big-mark.ers", —only-first aud second.will qualify. .This concession, to tho-scratch-:metf will, be wcldomed; by the public, as. giving onpor,tuni--ties of seeing the "cracks",-in action.' , ';': '■ The piece do resistance...of. the 'meeting—the' Marathon I race—;is creating, much interest.. Tho event begins nt 1.30 p.m.--in the'• reserve.'-The-competitors: run , , one. lap of.the course,.then.out Tiy the northern gate, and on to' Mason's.. Gardens at Taita and back,.finishing.at about: ; s o'clock, with another' lap on'.the .reserve—a, total:distance of 26 miles 385. yards, the. truo Marathon:course/. Qomplete arrangements are being made by means of which the public will' be kept : plssted, as to; the positions oi< the men at various stages of their long run.v