NATIONAL ATHLETES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 11 March 1939, Page 8

NATIONAL ATHLETES

0 CHAMPIONSHIP MEETING AT NAPIER W. A. C. PULLAR BEATS BOOT IN MILEQUINN DISQUALIFIED IN 440 YARDS. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) NAPIER, March 10. Visiting teams numbering 108 athletes have arrived at Napier during the past few days to participate in the forty-sixth annual national track and field championships. The meeting opened at McLean Park, Napier, at 5 o’clock this afternoon, and will be continued tomorrow at 140 p.m. Competitors from Auckland, West Coast (North Island), Wellington, Hawke’s Bay-Poverty Bay, Canterbury, and Otago are participating, and on tonight’s heats and performances a very successful meeting is expected. For the first time in the history of the New Zealand association steel hurdles were used in all hurdle events. The highlight' of tonight’s meeting was the mile championship, which was won by W. A. C. Pullar (Masterton), with V. P. Boot (Canterbury) second, and S. J. Wade (Auckland) third. The time, 4min 20sec, was the fastest ever recorded for the mile on McLean ParkThe first lap was fairly slow at 66 2-5, none of the runners seeming anxious to take the lead. Boot, who had dropped back, decided to go up toward the end of the lap and led from Longley (H. 8.P. 8.), with Dare (Auckland) in close attendance. On the second lap Dare held first position till challenged by Wade, who took the lead and held it till early in the third lap, Boot again dropping back. Meanwhile Pullar improved his position, and at the bell was handy to the leaders.'Bopt started his sprint with Pullar in. close attendance. Over the last 75 yards Boot and Pullar fought out a spectacular finish, with Pullar holding a slight advantage. The final burst put Pullar ahead to win by five yards. One of the sensations of the meeting came in the second heat of the 440 yards championship. With the first three runners closely bunched before entering the straight, G. Quinn (Wellington) fought his way .to a slight lead and shook off challenges by P. Wallace (W.C.N.1.) and J. P. Evans (Wellington). A close finish resulted: Quinn, 1; Wallace, 2; Evans, 3. A few moments later, however, it was announced that Quinn had been disqualified for running out of his lane, and the placings were altered to: Wallace, 1; Evans, 2; W. Gooseman (Auckland), 3. Results of finals are: One mile: W. A. C. Pullar (Wellington) 1; V. P. Boot (Canterbury) 2; S. J. Wade (Auckland) 3. Time, 4.20. Three Miles Walk: R. J. Watson (Otago) 1; D. Kingston (H.8.-P.8.) 2; N. McCarthy (Wellington) 3. Time, 22.45. Throwing the Discus: J. D. Morgan (W.C.N.1.), 129 ft 4in, 1; Dalgleish (Otago). 128 ft 2in, 2; A. Redmond (Canterbury), 122 ft IJin, 3. Pole Vault: F. S. Barraclough (W.C.N.1.), lift, 1; L. Grey (H.8.-P.8.), lift, 2; L. Worles (Canterbury), 10£t lOin, 3. Barraclough and Grey cleared the same height, but Barraclough won on the count back. Broad Jump: H. W. Wilkins (Canterbury), 22ft lOin, 1; E. Phillips (Wellington), 21ft 61in,’ 2; B. T. Robertson (Auckland), 20ft 7'.in, 3. HEAVY TRACKS DISAPPOINTING CONDITIONS TODAY. FAST TIMES UNLIKELY. NAPIER, This Day. Disappointing weather prevails for the main portion of the New Zealand athletic championships programme this afternoon. Early morning showers were succeeded by drizzling conditions. The outlook is unpromising. Even if ihe weather improves the track will be heavy, reducing the likelihood of fast times.