ROAD RACE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2894, 1 September 1909, Page 58

ROAD RACE.

fPORT CHALMERS-PELICHET BAY. t Th« annual road race from Port Chalmers to Pelichefc Bay, under the auspices of 8m Dunedin Harriers, was held on Saturday under adverse weather conditions. Parly in the day the club decided, despite Ihe inclement weaiher. to run the race, lad with that object in' view a good numKw of harriers journeyed to Port Chalmers by the 2.30 p.m. train. No time was lost an getting ready for the race, and the competitors deserve credit for starting; hinder such unfavourable conditions. A heavy drizzle had set in when the limit £nan was sent away on the journey, and by the time the «ratch man was given

! the word to go the rain was, if anything, heavier, and continued during the time the race was being run. An exceptionally fine view of the race was obtained from the train on its way to Dunedin. The I first man passed was Murray, at St. ' Leonards, who was running with a fine free stride, notwithstanding the heavy , nature of the road. At Burkes the limit men were still holding the lead, Jackson and M'Laughlan boch running strongly. whilst Thompson had made up considerable leeway. A large crowd had gathered at Pelichet Bay Io welcome the runners, and when the first of them came in sight at the quarry, it was seen that M'Laughlan was in the lead, with Jackson and Thompson as his nearest attendants. Maintaining hw advantage, M'Laughlan won a determined and well run race, and was loudly cheered on his victory. Jackeon finished eeoond, Thompson third, and South fourth. Tho result of the race is as follows : — J. M'Laughlan (Caversham Harriers), 3min 156 ec ... ... 1 S. Jackson (Dunedin Harriers), 6min 30sec .. 2 D, v R. Thompson (Dunedin Harriers), lmin 30sec . 3 The three fastest times recorded in the race are as follows: — H. C. Murray (Dunedin Harriers), 42min 32sec 1 D. R. Thompson (Dunedin Harriers), 43min 15sec . 2 A. Melville (Civil Ser\ice Harriers), 43min 17sec 3 The Caversham Club is to be congratulated on again furnishing the winner of th 3 cup. M'Laughlan has been running very consistently this season, and has greatly improved. Besides holding the Challenge Cup, he receives a trophy from the Dunedin Harriers. Murray, who secured fastest time, is running as well as ever he did, and well deserves the honour of annexing the fastest time trophy. It is to be regretted that his services are not available to represent Otago in the New Zealand cross-country championship, to be run at. Timaru in September. The Dunedin Harriers are to be congratulated on the capable manner they carried out the arrangements, and the officials deserv© credit for th-rr unfailing courtesy and attontion. A word of praise to Mr N. An'Wson, the energetic .secretary, is only exprtesinsf the voice of all interested. The other officials were a* follow: Timekeepers — Messrs R- S. Jackeon, A. Cannon, F. Tirehoner, W. Brickell ; judges — Messrs F. W. Parker and T. Ilodgeon. i Tht? following comparison of the winners and fastest times for this event will be inteiesting: — 1902— Winner of cup. J. W. Cowie; fastest time, P. Bennett (46rnin 17tec). 1903 — Winner of cup, F. J. Frew ; fastest time. H. Murray (43min 21sec). 190* — Winner of cup. P Romeril ; fastest time, A. Melville (43min S&^ec). 1905 — Winner of cup, A. French ; fastest time, A. Melville (43min 57« ec). j 1906 — Winner ot cup, J. Swsnson; fast-pst time, A. Melville (47min ]7sec). 1907 — Winner of cup, J. V. Quelchj fastest time. J. Eeatson (43min 24*°e). i 1908— Winner of cup. J. Beatson ; fastest time. G. M'Knight (41min 45sec). 1909 — Winner of cup. J. M'Laughlan; fastest time, 11. Murray (42min 32sec).