Harriers. BIG ROAD RACE

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 6, 30 September 1937, Page 13

Harriers. BIG ROAD RACE

"Fence.")

A. Hughes's Record-Breaking Performance HOW STARTERS RAN

(By 1

Last Saturday the Hastings Harrier Ulub's sixth season was concludetl by the holding of its annual open handicap road race botween the Napier and Hastings Post Orfices. Thotigh the field was the sinallesfc that has ever started in this event, the race was full of interest and tb see the recoid ior fastest time broken by A. Hughes (bRipibr) linder the conditibns such as thfey were was an outstanding achievement. The predominence of Napier runuers in the list of finisliers is rather hard to account for, other than they must have spent more time in preparing i'or this test of stamina. To have only two in the first ten places and six Oat of the field of sixteen, certainly does not flatter the local club. It is to be hoped that nCxt year a better showing will be made. Judging by the conditions of most on finishing a cool day suchv as last Saturday is more suited for aistance running than the warmef days previously expericnced. The manner in which the times retnrned each year by the respBctive runuers, varies makes the handicaper's job a difficult as well as a thankless > oue. The results this year were quite good, and reflect credit to the handicaper's work. } How They - Ean, The winner, J, Strachan, was making his first appearahce in this event, ao his win must stamp Him ais- a runner of no mean ability. E. Le'ekie rau well right through to gain second place, right on the heels of the winner. Startiug off the same mark, 8min. 30 sec., B. Andersen (H.; and B. Eeid (N.) kept togethcr all the way, each taking his share of pace-making. Alorig with Hughes the virtiial scratch man, they were the only back-markera to pass many of the front-markers. Had they not loafed so much between Clive and Mangateretere they would have come very near to gaining first place. However, through their mutuai help, they secured third place and second fastesi; time, equal. Gaining fifth place and setting a new record of lhr. 14min., A. Hughes (Napier) ran a sterling race against the strdng head wind, without the assistance of any co-markera or pacemakers. Not passing anyone before Mangateretere, his must have been a heart-breaking - j ob. Hia record will probably soon go by the board, but for a magnificent efforfc his will be hard to beat. Should he take part in the 20-ihile race in "Wellington next week it is to he hoped he can reproduce the same form. I. Reading and R. McGregor cdvered the distance in good style, and . with the experienee gained, should make their presence felt an'dther time. Eunning into ninth place and being the second Hastings man to finish, A. Kobeftson put up his best time to date for this race, Like many others he faded over the last eouple of miles. Better things had been expected of George Denford, Who won in 1935. Having tfained as miich as any, he was un--lhCl^- td strike such an off day. "^jBroek-4yas oniy a shadow of iast year's winner.-. Apparently harsMy^andicapped, I. Dyer and A. Taylor wisfiJj-v^rgfrained from over-exerting themselves. 'cJfedifc is due to them for running as they did, and the experienee of this run will be of value to them when they tackle this jou.Tney in earnest. Value of Training. To all those who saw the distance out no emall measure of credit is due, as it takes a fair etandard of physical condition to run 12J miles on a hard surface. "Fence" would like to suggest a word of advice to those long-handicap men who failedi to finish well up. Try a little more training next year and you will be surprised With the results. You cannot expect the handicapper to give you the race, so get in a i:+t]r better fettle and not falter over ihe last cbnple of miles. Then the backmarkers will have jypriy. Next week "Fence" will concjftttTc these notes for the 1937 eeason xeviewing the season 's activities.