VISITING ATHLETES

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 900, 18 February 1930, Page 12

VISITING ATHLETES

LERMOND AND GOLDING RUN WELL IN SOUTH MEETING AT CHRISTCHURCH Press Association CHRISTCHURCH, Monday. Although the cold weather this evening was not conducive to fast times, the amateur athletic meeting at English Park saw exceptionally fine performances, and a sensational run over a quarter-of-a-mile by G. A. Golding, the Australian record holder. Leo Lermond, the American national one mile champion, made his first appearance in New Zealand to defeat J. G. Barnes (Christchurch) and J. W. Savidan (Auckland) over a mile after a solid race. The 440yds. scratch race was the finest race of the evening. Golding won as he pleased from J. T. Fleming (.Wellington). Golding went ahead at the start and, by virtue of his great stride, made Fleming sprint all out to keep up with him at all. The Australian led by three yards after 150 yards had been covered, and did not let up his pace in the slightest. Fleming was running well, but simply could not run fast enough at any stage of the distance. Golding steadily increased his lead, breasting the tape a clear 15 yards to the good in 49 4-ss—the best time ever recorded at the park. It was a great run considering the bad conditions. In the mile event Lermond took the lead for the first lap, followed closely by Savidan and Barnes, and the Aucklander set the pace over the next two laps, lengthening his stride and running with a very easy action. Then Barnes set off in a great sprint and he and Savidan wore themselves out up the back straight. On the last turn round Lermond was hanging behind within striking distance. He looked a winner and was able to pass his men on the bend and ease up at the finish to win by five yards from Barnes in 4m 295. Savidan faded badly and was 10 yards farther back.