HARRIER RACE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 246, 16 September 1940, Page 5

HARRIER RACE

HARRISON SHIELD TO BATTEN

An important success was achieved on Saturday afternoon when E. Batten annexed the honours in the annual | Wangaehu-Wanganui road race of 8 1-3 | miles for the Harrison Shield. This is ' the second year in succession the local club has provided the winner of this race. There was a large field of 31 starters, and of this number only five failed to complete the distance. The weather was ideal for a race of this nature, and added to the keenness' of the competitors. The Tedding club was represented by L. Barrett, R. Lamberton, J. Haycock, H. Moss and E. Batten. The |last-named ran a determined race to 'win by a fairly comfortable margin from J. Carr (Wanganui), D. Smith (Marton) being third. Great credit is due to this runner for such a wellplanned race- and having the reserve to finish as strongly as he did. This is bis first open success during his two years of running. L. Barrett had caught Batten earlier in the race and these two raced together throughout the contest until they had just caught the leader; half a mile from home the former was unlucky in suffering stomach trouble robbing him of finishing closer than fifth place. He put up an excellent performance and would have worried the winner more over the final stages. H. Moss was running a perfect race until, over the concluding part, he suffered his usual feet trouble which forced him to ease up and finally finish ninth. His performance was again very good. R. Lamberton again displayed brilliant pace, although finishing in 16th place. He gained fourth fastest time, which is exceptionally good in such a large field. J. Haycock, who has been unable to train lately, was forced to retire early in the race. After the race the trophies were presented by Mr Clark to the successful runners.