HARRIERS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 288, 30 August 1920, Page 6

HARRIERS

N.Z, CROSS-OOUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIP. For the first time since the outbreak of war. the Now Zealand cross-country championship was held on Saturday utCashmere Hills, Ohristchurch. Three representative teams were entered— Otago (holders o£ banner), Canterbury, and Wellington. wr/ltagton entered an exceptionally strong team, being represented by W. Bcatchard (Olympic Harriers), R. Bell, D. Todd, C. Dentice, and W. Burk, of the Brooklyn Harriers. Though none of theso men had ever represented Wolllnpion before in this event, they never left the issue in doubt, and won easily, with Otago second and, Canterbury next. When the pistol was fired, the Wellington men wont immediately to the front with 0. Frye (Otago), who was running well, close up. This order was maintained until tho straight was entered, where C. Frye took tho lead. From here a (Treat fight was witnessed for the individual championship of New Zealand between Frye and Bcatchard. The latter, coming from 50 yards back, put in a marvellous finish, in a last eflort to catch Frye, who, however, had too big a lead, and won by inches, Time, 34min. lOsec.—a record for this course.

The finishing positions were:—o. Frye (Otago), 1 and individual champion; W. Scatchard (Wellington), 2; D. Todd (Wellington) 3; R. Bell (Wellington), 4; W. Durk (Wellington), 5; 0. Dentice (Wellington), 8.

Tho course> was a litOo over live miles, and was tho most Beverc ever run over for this event. The first three miles and a half was good, flat country, when a difficult water jump was reached. After this a mile of very rough hill country vras negotiated, which proved Tory fleveir, and too much for many of the runners, who, perhaps, had all the country been flat, would have shown to better advantage. Some of the old experienced runners say it would be almost impossible to select a harder course. This is the first time Wollington has won the banner, though they have been trying to bring it to this island for 11 years. There was a sealed handicap run in conjunction with the race, tho winner turning up in D. Todd (Wellington).

The Olympic Harriers' Club held their weekly run from the Boys' Institute on Saturday .when seventeen runners followed a course of about seven miles selected by W. J. Snedden and Tom Wilson, tho oourso embracing the country round Vogcltown. The usual run-in was won by Wilkinson. After tlio run the competitors and their friends adlourned to Mr. T. H. Wilson's residence. Tainul Terrace, where they were entertained by the host and hostess. During the evening tho following rendered items:-Mias Warshand, Miss Barker, Messrs. P. Wilson, T H Wilson, sonr., and J. and K. Beaglohole' Before dispersing the president, Mr W J. I'holp, thanked Mr. and Mrs. Wilson for their kindness. Special thanks were tendered to Mr. Butler, director of the Boys Institute, for allowing the competitors to run from (here.