HARRIER ACTIVITIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 4 July 1938, Page 3

HARRIER ACTIVITIES

ONEHUNGA-AUCKLAND RACE.

(By Telegraph—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, July 3.

The veteran runner J. W. Savidan made a notable return to harrier racing on Saturday afternoon, when he won the Onehunga to Auckland road race conducted by the Technical Athletic Club. The distance was 7J miles. Savidan led from the start and was never challenged. His time was 36.57. J. I. B. Neil was second in 37.19, with R. Crompton third in 37.36. MASTERTON CLUB “HARES AND HOUNDS” EVENT The Masterton Harrier Club held a “hares and hounds” run from the Park Oval on Saturday afternoon. The trail was laid by Roy Shaw and George Gregory and led from the Oval to the Colombo Road bridge via Church and Jeans Street, and the stock yards. From here the trail led round the river to the Te Ore Ore bridge, where the river was again followed and crossed several times until a detour brought the runners to Gordon Street. The trail then went past the back of the Masterton Golf Links, down through the swamp, across Opaki Road, and over ploughed paddocks, emerging at Oxford Street. The members then ran down through Mawley Park to the Oval.

Next Saturday a 5 mile handicap will be held instead of a friendly run. The club’s handicapper, Mr W. Pointon, will handicap all members, and their marks will be published on Thursday. The members are reminded of the meeting with the Hastings Club for the Keats Trophy, in a fortnight’s time. KIATERE CLUB FIVE MILE CHAMPIONSHIP The Kiatere Harrier Club held their annual five-mile championship for the Albert Cox Cup over a two-lap course on Saturday. The course led from the south gate of the Solway Showgrounds to High Street, thence along York Street, up Fleet Street, through the paddocks to the railway line, and then a detour was made back to the starting point. Fifteen runners were started by Mr L. A. Askew.

D. Askew, setting a fast pace, took the lead for about half a mile, where C. Bell came through from well back to overtake him and hold the lead until York Street was reached. Here A. McDonald went to the front, and he held on to win easily from A. Greeks, Alister McDonald was third. The winner’s time was 30min 42sec.

At the end of the first lap the placings and times were as follow: —H. McDonald, 14min 55sec; R. Greeks 15min; W. Burgess, 15min 1 sec; J. Laing, 15 min 25sec; W McDonald, 15min 30sec; Alister McDonald, 15min 59sec, and L. Francis 16min 40sec. The second lap did not see much change in the position of the leaders, except that W. Burgess (whose impressive win the previous Saturday, gave him a good chance) had dropped back being troubled with the “stitch.” Alex McDonald still running strongly maintained his lead and ran in a comfortable winner, by at least 250 yards. McDonald’s form in the open handicap of the previous week, also pointed strongly to his chance in this week’s event.

The prevalence of colds, was largely responsible for several disappointments but with the return to solid training of the members, some keen contests should result. ■ With the provincial championships approaching, all members should strive for that degree of fitness which is necessary if the club is to be successfully represented. The final placings were as follows: —A. McDonald, 30min 42sec, Ist; R. Greeks, 31min 27sec, 2nd; Al. McDonald 31min 56s sec, 3rd; J. Laing, 32 min 12 secs, 4th; R. Searancke, 33min 12secs, sth; C. Bell, 33min 20secs, 6th; D. Askew, 34min 6secs, 7th; L. Francis, 34min j 11 secs, Bth; A. Burns, 34min 48secs, 9th. A sealed handicap run in conjunction with the race was won by L. Francis and D. Askew second, Alister McDonald, third; Alex McDonald fourt; J. Laing, fifth, and R. Searancke sixth.

At the conclusion of the race, Mr J. Carter, who is to leave shortly for a trip to England, was farewelled.