GRUELLING RACE

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 3294, 30 July 1943, Page 5

GRUELLING RACE

FIXTURE FOR SATURDAY WAIKATO CHAMPIONSHIP HARRIERS TO MEET IN PAEROA To-morrow, Saturday afternoon, the Waikato Cross-Country Championship will be held in Paeroa, commencing at 3 p.m. The championship which is being conducted by the Paeroa Harrier Club for the Waikato Sub-Centre will be run over a gruelling 6J-miles course embracing road and country. To-morrow’s road is the first Waikato championship to be held for a number of years owing to very few clubs operating in the Waikato district. This year, however, saw a big change in harrier activities in South Auckland as no fewer than three clubs are functioning, two clubs in the Hamilton area have come out of recess together with the newly-formed Paeroa club. Potter To Compete A great opportunity will be afforded the people of Paeroa to witness one of New Zealand’s best distance runners in action, W. J. Potter. W. J. Potter, reputed to be the best distance runner in Auckland at the present time, is running right up to his best form and should have little difficulty in winning- the cross-country title.

Another good harrier who will be competing is R. French. Bob was right up to the best in Auckland, a few years back and from reports is as good as ever. Of the Paeroa seniors competing the two with the best chance of springing a surprise are F. D. Sharp and M. Vug]ar, although they may find the class of Potter and French too high. In the junior section all eyes will be focussed on those two brilliant Paeroa harriers, T. Morrison and J. Fowler. Although the quality of the Hamilton visitors is unknown the local youths can be relied upon to extend the very best of them. Details of Course For the general public who wish to catch a glimpse of the champions in action here is the course that will be negotiated. The race will start in front of the Post Office at 3 p.m. sharp, along Nor man by road to the Paeroa Cemetery. At the cemetery the competitors will cross country, coming round to Bennett street, down. Bennett street and Thames road; at the junction of Bennett street and Thames road, the junior runners will run back to Belmont road and finish in front of the Post Office while the seniors will run out past the racecourse and across more country and out on to Hili street, down Hill street, Moore road and along Belmont road, finishing in front of the Post Office. PAEROA CLUB’S TEAMS TO-MORROW’S BIG RUN The following members of the Paeroa Harriers’ Club have been chosen to represent the club in the Waikato Cross-country Championships an 'Saturday:— Seniors. —F. D. Sharp (captain), M. Vuglar, C. Marshall, E.'Fisher. Juniors.—T. Morrison, J. Fowler (captain), M. Wallan, G. Vuglar, P. Pennell, T. Sweeney, A. Currie, G. Vlahovich, R. Millar.