N.Z. CHAMPIONSHIPS.

Shannon News, 18 March 1924, Page 3

N.Z. CHAMPIONSHIPS.

dufeesne wins one mile and three mile events.

Thfc greatest satisfaction was felt wnen the news camie through on Saturday evening that the Levin athlete Duiresne, who represented Wellington Centre at the N.Z. Championships at Dunedin lhad succeeded in carrying off the one mile and three mile events this heing increased when it was Known this morning} that he had led the field home in the three mile event by 200yds without having been extended.

Dufresne, when he left Levin on Wednesday for the South, carried the good wishes of, the whole of the district, hut it would be incorrect to state that he carried their confidence to an equal degree. Despite his fine performance in Wellington when he heat Rose in the two-mile, it wa's felt that his lack of experience would be against him in contending against the cracks of the various provinces, and also that the trip across the Strait might have an unsettling effect. Most people were quite prepared with excuses for him if he did not win : When he did fulfil the expectations of the few who had contended all along that he was invincible the ehtftusiasm was correspondingly great. For a man who has been running only 15 months, Dufresne’s :victory. must be considered. a very fine one. It 1 is to be regretted that Rose was incapacitated, but thje general opinion, locally at any rate, is that his inclusion would not have altered the result. Although the time for the mile (4.39 4-6) does not come up to Rose’s best by some seconds, the heavy state of the ground after the rains must be taken into consideration and without question on a fast track Dufresne would do considerably better time. His performance in the three mile distance speaks for itself,, and easily places him first for this distance in New Zealand, as with such a win to his credit, there can be ho question of accident, The New Zealand Times, under the heading of “New Distance (Champ! oln, 5,1 speaks of Dufresne as follows The spectjvtors were greatly impressed with the form shown by Dufresne in'the longer distance,events. In the mile he made the pace till the last lap, when Laing and Brown spurted past him, but the Wellingtonian did not worry until a couple of hundred yards from home. Then he came through with ease, and won by half a dozen yards. In the three mile race Dufresne ded along in the rear until seven laps to go. He then took charge, and going right away, increased his lead by yards at each lap until hie finished a couple of hundred yards ahead of the second man. His long, graceful stride was much admired, and hiseasy win was loudly applauded. Dufresne will be .returning early in the week, when he cap be assured of a . hearty welcome from the athletes and general public of the town.