SIX IN A ROW

Evening Star, Issue 23692, 27 September 1940, Page 9

SIX IN A ROW

GEORGE AUSTIN'S IMPRESSIVE RECORD TIME HMOURS IN MODIFIED MARATHOH [By Pistol.] George Austin, New Zealand marathon champion, adds to his fine record nearly every time lie sets forth in a road race, and he registered one of his most impressive performances in the modified marathon road race on Satur- • day by gaining fastest time for the 14mile course oL-'7smin 17sec, and, incidentally, this represents the fastest , time on record on either the Mosgiel or Wingatui courses, where this race has been decided for many years past. The previous best on record was J. Ci, Barnes’s 77min 20sec, put up over the course from Wingatui in 1932. Austin's place and time performances in the modified marathon race in the last six years are a model of consistency, and every year during that period he has gained fastest time. In 1935 George filled sixth place in Sltnin, the winner being L. 11. M'Millan, with B. R. M'Kernau in second place. The 1936 race found Austin in second place to R. G. Pilling (University), the Caversham man registering fastest time of 79min Isee. When C. G. Gibbons won the modified marathon in 1937 Austin’s placing was second, and his fastest time effort was 7Smin 54see. Austin won the race in 1938, and gained time honours as well of Slmin llsec. It may be recalled that last year an extra distance was covered, Austin finishing in second place. Time honours were again his, 80min llsec. Over the first eight miles on Saturday Austin did not pass any of the 24 runners, some of whom withdrew, however. From then onwards he gathered in the field fairly rapidy, and, finishing full of running, took third place, and, securing time honours, thus completed the “ time ” double for the Port and modified marathon road races. The winner was F. Crooke, of Mornington, who ran from the 7imin mark. Crooke also took second fastest time, and after the first five miles looked a likely winner, finishing with 200yds to spare. The Mornington man occupied a good placing in last year’s race, and has been an excellent team man for his club.

Another Mornington man filled second place from the 11.10 mark. This was J. Waker, who a few weeks ago ran fifth in the Port Road Race. With a mile to go, Austin was only 3osec behind Walker, who appeared to be fading badly, but the Mornington man made a game effort over the last bit, «nd stayed on to finish second. C. M’Grogor (Caversham) gained third fastest time and took sixth place. This very consistent runner took second fastest time last year in a slower race. Two or three seasons ago he won the Caversham Club’s Brighton - Green Island Road Race, and he has just been • little unlucky not to score a major success. Mornington retained possession of the Nickels Cup for the beat aggregate in the Port and modified marathon races, with Caversham as runners-up and Leith in third place. Leith registered a good performance on Saturday, C. Blackledge being fourth, Dale Fineham fifth, R. Hughes seventh, and J. Markham tenth. Fineham is another well-tried distance man, and for several seasons past he has-been among ,the first half-dozen of so in this race. He ran a good, steady race without any fireworks on Saturday. Women’s Athletics.

Since the revival of the Dunedin Ladies’ Amateur Athletic Club a few years ago, women’s athletics in Dunedin have not looked back, and with splendid work also being done by Mr K. E. Dimick in the coaching of the girl athletes, the standard in Otago is on the up-grade every year. The foundations for success were laid hero first by Miss Hilda Hislop, who was closely associated with the Dunedin Club from its inception, and the good work was continued by Mrs M'Aughtrie. Last season further developments took place, and the formation of the D.S.A. and D.I.C. Ladies’ Clubs further increased interest in the competitive activities of the girls. Now there is a possibility of the ranks of the ladies’ clubs being augmented by the ex-High School Girls’ Basketball Club extending the scope of its activities to establish an athletic club. With so many senior athletes absent with the fighting forces or serving with the Territorials, it will be more than ever necessary for the centres throughout New Zealand to cater for the junior and women athletes, and it is encouraging to find no lack of interest among the girls. The New Zealand junior and women's championships are to be held at Wanganui in the coming season, and once again Otago should be strongly represented. New Zealand Ten-mile Record. George Austin intends making an attempt on the New Zealand Ten-mile record during the coming track season. At present this stands to tho credit of A. U. Geddes, who established his mark of 54miu 31 2-ssec on the Caledonian Ground on December 18, 1937. Austin hopes to make the attempt on the bitumen track on the Caledonian Ground, and failing that, may make his essay on the Timaru cinder track. Having regard to his form during the last few months, the chances of new figures being set up by the thirty-seven-ycar-old Caversham runner seem quite bright. Secretary’s Retirement. Mr J. G. Barnes has been an admirable secretary of the Otago Centre during the last four years, and his impending retirement from tho position because of pressure of other duties will be a serious loss to the sport, and one that can be ill afforded at the present time. He combines outstanding executive qualifications with the experience of many years of competition in all branches of athletics—ho has held New Zealand titles for one mile and the cross-country, has won races from sprint distances to I t miles, and earlier in his career even competed in cycling events —and the strong position of the sport at the present time may be attributed in measure to the enthusiasm and efficiency he has brought to bear in his work. One of the most successful efforts undertaken by Mr Barnes, in conjunction with the centre’s treasurer (Mr W. H. Masters), was the organisation nearly two years ago of a tour by the Victorians. Gerald and Ted Best, one of the most ambitious projects ever sponsored by the Otago Centre. That it was brought to fruition was due largely to Mr Barnes’s work, and the success of many other important fixtures staged by the centre indicated the secretary’s organising ability. It will be difficult to find a successor to Mr Barnes who will be able to bring to the work tho same enthusiasm, untiring energy, and knowledge of the sport, and it is to bo hoped that at some later date Mr Barnes will resume liis executive associajdoii with the sport.

Notes. November should be an active mouth, and among the more important fixtures set down for decision are the girls’ interhouso meeting and the secondary schools championship. This year the latter meeting will bo held in Dunedin. Most of the schools are now preparing for their own fixtures, and Otago Boys’ High School will hold its meeting on Wednesday, October 16. Tho preliminaries will be held on Tuesday. October 15. No word has been received by the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association regarding: tho applications for the tieing of world’s records made on behalf of the late Miss D. Lumley, of Auckland, and Miss D. Norman, of Australia. Tho necessary particulars were forwarded to the International Federation over 12 months ago. The absence of any confirmation regarding the recognition or otherwise of the figures, however, is not surprising (says an exchange). Tho international body meets irregularly. There probably hasn’t been a meeting since the start of war, and it is not likely that there will be until hostilities cease. Alan Pennington, the famous Oxford Blue and Olympic athlete, has recovered from his wounds, and has reported back for duty in tho Border Regiment. It was during hand-to-hand fighting in Belgium that Pennington was wounded. In a letter to me. writes Joe Binks, English athletic commentator, Pennington proves that, as usual, he is bubbling over with athletic enthusiasm. He casually states that being shot through the hand was his worst trouble, and immediately goes on to mention some of the big races in which he has taken part, ana how England beat Germany in winning tho last event in 1937. “ Let’s hone that it will soon happen again,” adds Pennington, and asks finally for news concerning other wellknown athletes. The ranks of the Civil Service Hamer and Amateur Athletio Club will bo strengthened in the coming summer by the transfer of Alan Duff from the University Club. Duff has been one of the province’s outstanding athletes for a number of years, and in sprint competition in the last few seasons has quite fulfilled tho promise he earlier showed at Otago Boys’ High School. He has held Otago provincial titles and also the New Zealand Universities championship, and though he has yet to win a national title he put up an impressive effort at Napier in 1939 when he ran third in tho New Zealand 100 yards championship despite the fact that he was suffering from influenza and ran against the advice of his doctor. Duff is a more than average high jumper, and with his experience of the sport over a good period of ho should be a real asset to the Civil Service Club. There has been no greater trier in modified marathon and similar races here than N. Taylor, of St. Kilda, and though a major success has yet to come the way of this game runner, all enthusiasts admire the grit and sportsmanship be invariably shows. Once again on Saturday he completed the strenuous 14-mile course, and though he was back in the placings he showed his usual determination and stamina. It is not given to everyone to win the hio-h honours, but Taylor has shown keenness and enthusiasm, which are deserving of success.