AUCKLANDER HOLDS SIX ATHLETIC TITLES

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 97, 15 July 1927, Page 11

AUCKLANDER HOLDS SIX ATHLETIC TITLES

SAVIDAN’S FINE RECORD A SOUTHERN APPRECIATION DESERVES HIS TITLES If any runner deserved to collect New Zealand amateur athletic titles, J. W. Savidan, of Auckland, did (says the Christchurch “Sun”). To his mile and three-mile crowns he added the cross-country championship last Saturday, and Canterbury enthusiasts who saw him in action over the Cashmere course are looking forward to seeing him on the track, for he is a fine runner. Savidan first came into prominence outside of his own district by paying his own way to Australia to accompany the last New Zealand team that competed in the Australasian championships. Nothing much was expected of him, and he surprised many by finishing third in both the mile and the tliree-miles. Since then he has claimed a great deal of limelight, and lie now holds the following titles, his times for the events being given in parentheses:— Auckland Mile (4min 28sec), Auckland Three Miles (15min 25sec.), Auckland Cross-country.. New Zealand Mile. New Zealand Three Miles (15min 9 sec), New Zealand Cross-country, 10.000 metres (39min 4sec). In the New Zealand mile race C. G. Gibbons, of Wanganui, won the race in 4min 25sec, leading Savidan by three yards, but the two men collided 10 yards from the tape, and Gibbons was disqualified. Savidan did not enter a protest, and said after the race that he was quite satisfied to take a beating. but the referee of the meeting made an inquiry. The times given above show that, although the Aucklander has not yet reached the standard set by R. A. Rose, he is a first-class runner, and capable of chasing Rose into putting up some sensational marks.