HARRIER ACTIVITIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 June 1938, Page 9

HARRIER ACTIVITIES

BENSON TROPHY CONTEST WANGANUI WIN RACE AGAINST MASTERTON The Wanganui Harrier Club secured an 18J-point lead against the Masterton Club in the first race of the two annual Benson Trophy contests, held at Wanganui on Saturday. The course, starting at the racecourse, led past the Technical College hostel, across paddocks to Springvale road, which was followed for half a mile to Bristol's Hill. This climbed, the runners crossed open country in a circuitous course to Springvale Road, which was encountered approximately a quarter of a mile above the Mosston Church. The runners here crossed a fence, climbed a hill, and followed Devon Lane for its entire length. Two boggy paddocks were negotiated, and the competitors finished at the point where they started on the racecourse. The course, a distance of 6$ miles, was in a heavy conditions following recent rains, and the times consequently were slow. W. A. Pullar (Masterton), ex-New Zealand champion, was first man home, followed by H. K. Johnston (Wanganui). With a mile covered this pair assumed the lead, and had soon established a lead on the remainder of the field. Pullar was running easily slightly behind Johnston, with- three miles to go, but the Wairarapa runner finished strongly over the last mile to win by 100 yards. Johnston fell in crossing a fence near the church, and was somewhat shaken when he continued. Placings of the teams were as follow:— Wanganui: H. K. Johnston 2. A. Bevege 3, F. Kiddle 6, J. Carr 7, H. Clark 9. A. Clark 10, C. Cox 12, N. Searle 14. Total points, 63. Masterton: W. Pullar 1, G. Gregory 4, R. Shaw 5, T. O’Dowd 8, G. Sutherland 11, G. Frederickson 13, T. Long 18. K. Kempton 21J. Total points, 814. Sealed handicap results were: Masterton: W. A. Pullar (scr), 1, R. Shaw (1. min 45sec) '2, T. O’Dowd (2min 45sec) 3. Wanganui: B. Hallam (7min 25sec) 1, N. Searle (smin lOsec) 2, G. Ravenwood (smin 5 sec). 3. ' A cup awarded for the first junior home in the field was won by G. Sutherland, of Masterton. A. Penberthy (W), took the lead at the start, and was closely followed through the racecourse gates by A. Bevege, H. K. Johnston and C. Cox, all of Wanganui, and G. Gregory, of Masterton. When Parsons Street was reached Penberthy had dropped badly, leaving Johnston in the lead, followed by Gregory. Coming on to Springvale road Pullar had gained on Johnston, who was then leading by five yards. Gregory and Bevege were close behirfd Pullar, followed by Cox, then 40 yards back. At the foot of Bristol’s Hill, Johnston stll led from Pullar, and both runners were not extended. Bevege had gained a slight lead on Gregory, who was showing signs of strain. Then came Cox (W), Carr (W), Shaw (M), Kiddle (W), and H. Clark (W). With half the race completed, Pullar and Johnston were still together, followed by Bevege, who was 75 yards behind them. In the first 16 runners of the field Wanganui had 10, the order being: Johnston (W). Pullar (M), Bevege (W), Gregory (M), Shaw (M), F. Kiddle (W), Carr (W). Sutherland (M). O’Dowd (M), Cox (W), H. Clark (W), Searle (W). A. Clark (W), Frederickson (M), Grant (W), and Brooks (W). Positions did not alter greatly from here to the finish of the race. Finishing places of individual runners were: W. Pullar (M), 38.20, 1; H. K. Johnston (W), 38.48, 2; A. Bevege (W), 39.08; R. Shaw (M), 40.07, 4; F. Kiddle (W), 40.40 5; J. Carr (W), 41.05, 7; T. O'Dowd (M) 41.24, 8; H. Clark (W), 41.45, 9; A. Clark (W), 41.57, 10; G. Sutherland (M), 42.16, 11; C. Cox (W), 42.23. 12; G. Frederickson (M), 42.24, 13; N. Searle (W), 42.29. 14; G. Ravenwood (W), 43.0, 15; Wilkins (W), 43.07. 16: N. Grant (W), 43.15, 17; J. Long (M). 43.18. 18; T. Brooks (W), 43.49. 19: G. Johnston (W), 44.03. 20; K. Kempton (M), 44.26, 21; H. Walker 44.26, 21; H. Walker (W), 44.26, 21. Good runs were registered by Roy Shaw. T. O'Dowd, G. Frederickson, G. Sutherland, who tried every inch of the way on a course which did not suit Masterton runners owing to the number of hills and sand patches. George Gregory was unfortunate in that he had an attack of “stitch'' shortly after the start of the race, from which he never really recovered until late in the race. The Wanganui Club has a really good cross country course consisting of plenty of paddocks, roads, hills, sand and fences, and it certainly did not suit a team training on the flat, even surface of the Park Oval. A number of disappointments were also registered during the race and noticeable among these were Ross. Pringle. Baikie. Harris, L. Shaw and Carle. On the previous Saturday Ross. Pringle and Harris gave good displays, and were at the head of the field all day. On Saturday last, however, they failed to come up to expectations. One of the pleasing features of the trip was, the appearance of the mayor of Wanganui at the dinner of welcome. On Sunday morning the members of both clubs were entertained by Mr and Mrs Young. During the morning opportunity was taken to present the trophies, and speeches were given by Messrs Clark, Young. White, Bourgeois, Siddels. Long, Gowan. Johnston, Pullar and Keats. KAITERE HARRIERS. INVITATION RACE WON BY BURGESS. One of the most popular fixtures on the Kaitere Club's calendar is the annual Invitation Run from the residence of Mr and Mrs J. L. Burns. Ngaumatawa Road. On Saturday, members and supporters turned up in full force, and the run. coupled with the hospitality of Mr and Mrs Burns, made the afternoon a most enjoyable one. Each run discloses substantial improvement in the form of the majority of members, and this club is certainly going to be a tough nut to crack in the big

events later in the season. The strong position that the club finds itself in today is due to the enthusiasm of members and supporters, the members by their regular attendance at runs, and strict attention to training and the supporters by their encouragement. The trail on Saturday was laid by W. Burns and J. Ryder, who confined it mostly to roads. It led out of Ngaamatawa Road into Akura Road, where the paper was laid as far as Kibblewhite Road. This road was followed for about three-quarters of a mile, where the course led down a grass lane into Renall Street and then back to the starting point, making the course with the two laps approximately seven miles. The race, which was an open handicap, with trophies for first and second, was started by the official starter, Mr J. Carter. There were twenty runners, including E Carson, a well-known Napier harrier. From the start the limit men set a very fast pace, with L. Francis soon taking the lead from J. L. Burns and J. Taplin. At the end of the first lap W. Burgess, running strongly, was beginning to make his presence felt, and was then in fifth position, the leaders being L. Francis (6min) from D. Askew (4min), J. L. Burns (6min) and H. Stewart (4min). At this stage the scratch men were coming into the picture, the most notable being Alex McDonald, who was running very resolutely. With about two miles to go it was evident that Burgess, who had nov? secured the lead, would be a hard man to beat, and so it proved for in spite of several determined challenges he was not overtaken, finishing splendidly in front of H. Stewart, who also ran a great race, with L. Francis, one of the younger members, a good third after being one of the leaders throughout.

The placed men with their handicaps and times as follows: —W. Burgess (15sec) 45min 42sec (fastest time) 1; H. Stewart (4min) 45 min 56scc 2; L. Francis (6min) 46min 13sec, 3; D. Askew (4min) 47min Msec. 4; A. McDonald (scr) 47min 31sec, 5; R. Scarancke (3min) 47min 43sec, 6. After the run, afternoon tea was provided by Mrs Burns, and a cake in honour of the Club s sixth birthday was cut by Mr G. C. H. Traill, who also gave an interesting talk on the Club's activities since its inception. Some valuable hints to members were also added. The trophies were then presented to the winner and runner-up. after which a hearty vote of thanks and cheers for the host and hostess terminated an enjoyable afternoon. Next week's run will be the annual Five Mile Club Championship, held from the Solway Showgrounds. DUNEDIN STEEPLECHASE. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) DUNEDIN, June 26 For the third year in succession A. R. Geddes. Civil Service club and Otago athlete, won the Edmond Cap Steeplechase, which was decided over a three-mile course at the Wingatui racecourse on Saturday. The event attracted a field of 97 runners, representing eight clubs.