The Clarkson Road Race.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 8105, 4 June 1906, Page 5

The Clarkson Road Race.

A very large crowd assf-mbled this morning to witness the start of the Clarkson Road Race. The men were despatched from the .foot of the Tiritea Hill, just beyond the Fitzherbert Bridge. The weather was ratfc.er favorable, there being but a slight breeze blowing. The sky was overcast and tha men were no,t likely to be inconvenienced by the heat of the sun. Mr T. Richards acted as starter. The course was as foliowa : — Starting from Fitzherbert-road, near bridge, through Linton, Tokomaru, Shannon, to Levin, coacb road to Foxton, Foxton to Sandon (tram route), Sandon to Feilding via Mount Stuart), Feilding to Palmerston North (via Bunnythorpe and Boundary-road), finishing Boundaryroad and Rangitikei street. Distance, about 83 miles.

Of the 56 men who entered for the race no less than 36 went to the post this morning, this result being held to be eminently satisfactory. The..limit man :was got away punctually at 9 o'clock, and the two from scratch, Henderson, of Palmerston North, and Baker, of Christchurch, fifty minutes later. The other competitors started at intervals between these times. A blackboard was set up outside the Royal Hotel, whereon were inscribed the progress reports received by wire and pigeongram from Levin, Foxton, Sanson, and Feilding. A large number of people gathered in the vicinity to scrut'mise the figures and speculate on the ultimate result. The winning post was at tne corner of Rangitikei and Featherston streets. It was anticipated that the winner would put in an appearance at about two o'clock. The following is the order and times of arrival of the riders at Levin:—AE. Standen, J. Scobie and T. C. Holley, 10.39 a.m.; W. Berquist, 10.41 a.m; J. Gamble, W. Irwin and. A. Greonless, 10.45 a.m., W. L. Redward, H. Hooker and E. R. Welch, 10.51 a.m; R. J. Dick, 10.53 a.m.; C. Robertson, P. Olsen, E. Rees, H. F. Graham, T. Cooper, and H. M. Baker, 10.57 a.m.; F. P. Wood, B. A. Wan and A. Donald, 11.1 am.; F. A. Cramp and H. R. Spicer, 11.4 a.m.; J. M. Bocock, 11.8 a.m.; A. F. Mudgwav, 11.11 a.m; A. W. Jones, 11.13 a.m ; R. Jones and R. E. Yincent, 11.16 a.m.; S. Barrow, 11.17 a.m.; G. Hooker, 11.18 a.m ; H. Henderson, 11.20 a.m.; Jas. Scobie, 11.26 a.m. G. Hooker changed wheel at Levin. C. Baker, one of the scratch men, punctured his tyre after going about two miles.

At Foxton the order was as follows : A. E. Standen, 11.25 a.m.; John Scobie, 11.30 ; A. Greenless, 11.42; T. C. Holly, 11.44; W. Berquist, 11.47 ; W. Irwin, 11.49; W. L. Redward, 11.55; R, E. Vincent, 11.56; C. Eobertson, 11.58; T. Cooper, 12 noon ; E. R. Welch, 12.1; W. Williamsen and 11 J. Dick 12.2; B. A. Wan, 12.4; R. Jones 12.6 ;E. W. Bryenton and H. Hooker. 12.9 ; S. Barrow, J. Gamble, and H. W. Mudgway, 12.10 ; H. F. Graham, 12.12 ; A. W. Mudgway, P. Olsen, and H. E. Spicer, 12.14 ; F. P. Wood, 12.15 ; G. Hooker, 12.16. Henderson punctured, his tyre when nearing Foxton. Won by Standen. The finish of the race was witnessed by about 400 spectators. The first man to arrive was A. E. Standen (Carterton) who had 45 minutes start, and passed the post at 16 minutes 23 seconds past 2 this afternoon. He was closely followed by A. Greenless (Aramoho), who had 40 minutes' start, and arrived at 222 4-5. Then came John Scobie (Longburn), 50 minutes' start, at 2.30 5-6, and A. Donald . (Palmerston), 20 minutes, at 2.31.87.1 Greenfess was leading at Feilding, but had a fall.