GETTING "FIT"

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2601, 25 October 1915, Page 5

GETTING "FIT"

CITIZENS' ROUTE MARCH. The first of a series of route marches, wliich it is proposed to institute with a view to encouraging every man, whether of military age or not, to get fit', took place yesterday. It was an experiment made by those members of executives of various bodies interested in the movement, with a view to deciding the best lines on wliich to conduct such marches. . Among those present were: Captan Donald Simson, A. A. Marryatt (N.Z. Amateur Athletic Association), G. C. Fache (N.Z. Rugby Union) ; M. A. Carr (Wellington Bowling Club), P. Myers (Thorndon Bowling Club), R. Crawford (Hawke's Bay Sporting Clubs), C. G. Wilson (Chairman of tho Wellington Cricket Association), H..F. Von Haast, and S. A. Atkinson (War League). The route followed was Oriental Bay, Evans Bay, Lyall Bay, and back to town via Houghton and Island Bays and Newtown. Several groups of young men, painting their yacht's,- or' basking in the sun, after a swim, wondered what these old stalwarts, headed by a burly soldier, and marching two deep, were doing. Some of the young men were invited to fall in and see, but, they shook their heads, as though there was some ''leg-pulling" process in train. As a matter of fact, the outing was a fine chest-expanding and windstrengthening exercise, which was thoroughly eujoyed by all who took part in it, and not a man who did the teninile stretch but did not feel his appetite sharpened thereby. It was a small beginning,, but such is tfio enthusiasm of those concerned that there is little doubt that the column will grow in length with each succeeding route march, particularly when tho object to ho served is at once beneficial to the geueral health and serviceable to the State. On Sunday next tho walkers are to tall in at the corner of Willis and Boulcott Street's at 9.30 a.m., tho objective being the hills. The route will be through Kelburn to Karori, -up the Park Vale Road and along the Summit Road down to Wilton's Bush, and back to town via Wadestown, in time :or dinner. All who wish to cultivate "fitness" in this pleasant manner are invited to join in and to bring their friends.