MODIFIED MARATHON

Evening Star, Issue 23688, 23 September 1940, Page 7

MODIFIED MARATHON

F. CROOKE WINS AUSTIN'S RECORD TIME Running an effortless race throughout, F. Crooke (Moruington) was an easy winner in the annual modified marathon race of 14 miles, held on the Taieri Plains on Saturday. The race was held by the Otago Centre of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association. Right from the early stages Crooke looked unbeatable. J. Walker (Mornington) was second. Fastest time and third place went to G. L. Austin (Caversham), the scratch man, who established a record, finishing in 7omin 17sec. The previous record was held by J. G. Baines, who covered the distance in 77min 20sec in 1932. The teams race, in which platings in the marathon were combined with those in the Port road race for the Nickels Cup, was again won by Mornington. Second fastest time went to the winner (Crooke), with Slmin 26sec, while C. M'Gregor (Slmin 46sec) was third. THE RACE. In spite of a strong southerly wind at the start weather conditions wore, on the whole, favourable. Before the runners reached halfway it dropped to a mild breeze. The rain of the night before had laid the dust, and temperatures were not too extreme. At Duke’s road the first starters, Rackley and the two Taylors, had increased the lead by ISsec. Everett had caught up with Templeton and Grainger. Caddie was ahead of Welsh, having gained over half a minute. Hebbard had dropped behind Gerne to Markham and Barr. Crooke had gained a lot of ground. At the end of five and a-half miles Everett had taken the lead from >\. W. Taylor. Thirty seconds hack was another front-marker in Rackley. Then came Templeton, Blackledge, Walker, N. Taylor, and Grainger, spread over 60vds. Civil Service first man, Caddie, was 100yds back, two minutes behind the leaders. Welsh, Markham, Crooke, (who seemed in promising form at this stage), Hebbard, Gerrie, and Saunders came next at well-spaced intervals. Hughes, Fincham, and Watson, off the 6min mark, were four and a-half minutes behind the leaders. Munro, M'Gregor, and M'Kinnon formed the next group. Barr (Caversham) had evidently pulled out. Coutts followed suit at this mark. At this stage Austin was Bmin lOsec behind the leaders. Five miles from the finish, Everett was still in the lead 250yds out, and going nicely, from Walker. W. Taylor, _ Templeton, and Blackledge were fairly close together next. Crooke looked a winner in the next position, with Manham and Welsh following closely. Rackley, N, Taylor, Hebbard, Grainger, Caddie, Gerrie, Hughes, and Fincham were in a big bunch Simin. back, the latter two going well. M'Gregor, Munro, and Sanders came half a minute later, and Watson 100yds behind them. Austin had picked up nearly five minutes, and was passing Mackinnon at this point. At the turn for home Everett had the lead, with Crooke in second place and Walker third. Austin was only 3Jmm behind the leaders. Everett dropped back before reaching Wylie’s Crossing, leaving Crooke in the lead, with every appearance of holding his advantage. Spectators at the Five Roads, 70 chains from the tape, saw Crooke still well in the lead, one minute from Walker. Austin was in third place, only 40sec back. These positions were unchanged at the tape, Walker finishing 200yds behind Crooke, and Austin another 200yds away. THE PLACINGS, F. Crooke (Mornington), 7min 15 sec, Slmin 26sec ... 1 J. Walker (Mornington), llmin lOsec, Somin 55sec 2 G. L. Austin (Caversham), scr, 75 min 17sec 3 The others finished in the following order: —C. Blackledge (Leith), llmin 45sec; D. Fincham (Leith), 6miu; C. M'Gregor (Caversham), 4min 45sec; R. Hughes (Leith), Grain ; L. F. Gerrie (Caversham), 9min; J. Templeton (Mornington), 13rain; J. Markham (Leith), Srain 45sec; A. Caddie (Civil Service), lOmin' 30sec;> J. A. Welsh (Caversham), llmin; A. G. Hebbard (Caversham), 9min 30sec; J. Grainger (Mornington), 13min; M. Mackinnon (Civil Service), smin ; W. Taylor (Mornington), 14min; N. Taylor, (St. Kilda), 14min ; J. J. Everett (Mornington), 12min; F. Sanders (Mornington), Bmin 15sec. NICKELS CUP. Placings for the Nickels Cup. which included those in the Port road race, were:— Mornington (22 —12—34) 1 Caversham (29 —17—46) 2 Leith (44—16—60) 3 BARTLETT SHIELD. The final positions in the competition for the Bartlett Shield, awarded by the Caversham Club to the runner with the best aggregate in the Brighton-Green Island, Port Chalmcrs-Dnnedin, and modified marathon events, are:— G. L. Austin, 7 points ... 1 • J. A. Welsh, 8 points ... 2 L. F. Gerrie, 9 points ... 3 C. M'Grgor, 10 points ... 4 A. G. Hebbard, 11 points ... 5 CLUB FIXTURES CELTIC UNITED. The second and final sports meeting of the Celtic United Club for the Blue Star Sports Cup was held on Forbury Park. Results:— 440 Yards.—A. E. Dyson (10yds) 1, P. Venning (10yds) 2, E. Paterson (25yds) 3. Hop, Step, and Jump.—P. Venning (scr) 1, M. Fay (scr) 2, E. Paterson (Ift) 3. High Jump.—l). Clements (scr) 1, M. Fay (3in) 2, F. L’cttit (Cin) 3. Discus Throw.—l). Clements (scr) 1, P. Venning (scr) 2, M. Johnson (10ft) 3. One Mile.—J. Cameron (50yds) 1, D. Clements (10yds) 2, M. Fay (10yds) 3. Cup Points.—M. Fay (13 points) 1, P. Venning (11 points) 2, D. Clements (9 points) 3, R. M'Carthy and E. Paterson (5 points, equal) 4, A. Turnbull and A. E. Dyson (4 points, equal) 6. ST. KILDA. St. Kilda held its run from the Glendining Home, Anderson’s Bay, and the men were afterwards entertained at tea by Mr and Mrs Roberts, who were thanked by Mr J. Ross (president). The following arc the prizes for the season:—The colts’ trophy for most points in track events—A. Campbell 1. L. Colonibns 2, R. Jones 3. first class certificates, L. Colonibns and R. Jones; second class certificate, L. Colonibns: trophy for most points in field events—R. Jones 1. A. Campbell 2 L. Egan 3; first class certificates,

—i m A. Campbell and L. Egan; second class certificate, A. Campbell. CIVIL SERVICE. Following are the results of the. Civil Service Club’s sports meeting:— High Jump.—A. M'Cartney 1, L. Diekel 2, L. Bradshaw 3. Height, sft. Long Jump.—P. Thompson 1, C. M‘Kersey 2, L. Bradshaw 3. Distance, 20ft 6tiu. Hop, Step, and Jump.—A. Thompson 1. N. Bradshaw 2, L. Bradshaw 3. Distance, 42ft 9}in. 220 Yards.—A. M'Cartney 1, C, Walker 2, L. Diekel 3. Time, 2-1 4-ssec. 440 Yards.—A. B. Geddcs ], A. M'Cartney 2, L. Diekel 3. Time, 51 2-ssee. Colts’ 440 Yards.—Hamilton 1, Kelly 2, M'Kernan 3. Time, 54 3-sscc. MORNINGTON. The last run of the season of the Mornington Club was held from the St. Kilda pavilion. A pack of 16, led by Deputy-captain W. N. Burrows, staged an unofficial run home. Burrows and T. Wallace tied for first place, with A. Jolley and W. Gardiner close behind.