Outside Competition is Wanted Among Auckland’s Harriers

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 653, 3 May 1929, Page 7

Outside Competition is Wanted Among Auckland’s Harriers

Not rertiarkably strong in number, but imbued with running keenness, Auckland harriers will swing into action with the official opening of the season of winter competitions to-morrow. 'JHE unfortunate part of harrier running in Auckland is that, apart from the annual New Zealand cross-country championship, there is no opportunity for beneficial competition with men from other harrier centres. Auckland can suffer in its aloof northerly situation. WELLINGTON WELL OFF Aii entirely different position applies to Wellington, for instance. Wellington harriers, and, similarly its summer runners aud cyclists, have an immense advantage with such centres of athletics as Manawatu, the Wairarapa and Wanganui-Taranaki within convenient reach. In a harrier season in Wellington and the West Coast of the North Island there are no few important inter-club visits. Courses in that district, too, are extremely good. Wellington itself has its hill routes, there are several good runs in Masterton, Palmerston North presents steady level-going, and Wanganui has two well-defined runs over sanddunes. Auckland harriers have not the same advantages, and until better competition is forthcoming from provincial centres, chances of contests with outsiders are meagre. So on Saturday afternoon at the Outer Domain, faithful adherents of an excellent winter sport will try fheir paces. The programme consists of a steeplechase over one and a-half miles, a 75yds dash handicap, shot-putting and discus throwing. PRELIMINARY RUN

This is exactly the programme decided at Waikaraka Park, Onehunga, last week at a preliminary try-out for the athletes. Newcomers were seen then, but of course the New Zealand

i, McNeale are three colts with more t than ordinary enthusiasm who may a develop into something worth-while. What G. Kells will be able to do !. toward harrier work this season is

distance champion, J. W. Savidan, proved conclusively that he is not likely to have a serious rival in Auckland this season. F. L. Witten, R. B. Witten and 11.

Runners Keen to Start New Season —Opening at the Domain / o-Morrow Afternoon Search for Strong Auckland Ream for National Contests Savidan, Dominating Figure in the North, Should Keep His Individual Title —Dunedin Likely Venue of Championships Can Randolph Rose Trouble Auck land Man Over Gruelling Course ?

not known. Kells ranks next to Savidan and captured the Dominion cross-country title in 1926. Since then, Savidan has won twice and should perform the hat-trick this sea-

son if he preserves his condition. Three wins in succession are unknown in the history of the contests. In fact, the only double-win-ner besides Savidan was the Otago

man, J. Beatson. who scored 'way back in 1912 and 1913. Auckland has been fortunate in having such good individuals as Savidan and Kells. In team work, the North has failed against Wellington and Otago. ROSE STILL GOING Wellington is going to have Randolph Rose in action again this season, but it is not expected that he will equal Savidan. F. Silver is another Wellingtonian who is handy in a team. Otago, too. always a valuable harrier centre, should again do well at the championships. It remains for Auckland to prepare a sound team. Besides Kells, Savidan aud the young runners, who have yet to be tested thoroughly, there is G. Crum, a good distance mau. Still, material is not overabundant. One of the best-known figures in distance running in Auckland is A. Clarke, who is still in action. Clarke has grown tip with sport and is still a solid competitor. Followers of the sport will scan the ranks of the harriers anxiously, when real competition is established, for a likely team. Rumour has it that Dunedin is to be the location of the next cross-country championships. Report has it further that the Otago course is gruelling and can throw visitors off their balance. Should Dunedin become definitely the centre of this year's all-Xew Zealand event, attention will have to be paid by the selectors of visiting teams to men who are accustomed to stern going. Competent judges are still saying that Randolph Rose trail run second to Savidan. If anything, the Dunedin course should favour Savidau, who has impressed as being better than Rose over hard country. Rose was well beaten on the difficult Wanganui sandhills last year. In any case, the season in Auckland should be interesting enough. Harrier-running is worth-while and it deserves greater public attention.