HARRIER ACTIVITIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 21 June 1939, Page 2

HARRIER ACTIVITIES

MASTERTON CLUB. VISIT TO WANGANUI ON SATURDAY. Considerable interest is being taken in the trip to Wanganui next weekend of the Masterton Harrier Club. Master’ton has had one reverse this season—the loss of the coveted Sanders’ Cup to Hutt Valley—and a victory over Napier at the Dannevirke rally. The race with the Wanganui club will be interesting and very keenly contested. With two outstanding runners such as W. A. C. Pullar and G. Gregory, Masterton has a good chance for individual honours in the race. Wanganui’s first string is C. Cox, who will doubtless give Gregory at least, a good go. Pullar 1 will, of course, be a hard proposition for Wanganui’s best runners. The main issue is, of course, the teams race, in which 12 men from each club compete for points. On its own course the Wanganui club is at an advantage as the Masterton runners do not relish the hills. Wanganui can field a very strong 12-man team. Masterton has an excellent chance in the race, as C. K. Long, R. Shaw, H. Carle. R. Bell are all showing good form. (Notes by ‘‘ldle Along.”) Next Saturday the event of the year to most members of the Masterton Harrier Club will take place—the competition for the Benson Trophy at Wanganui. This race is run over typical harrier country. Commencing from the Wanganui racecourse the trail leads through a heavy peat bog, then along a grassy lane. From that point the trail takes an abrupt turn up a steep rocky hill and follows through a long winding track over several sand hills covered with lucerne. Here the course reaches better running along a mile of road to finish through a swampy paddock, and into the racecourse. The finishing post is reached after one circuit of the racecourse. Members and visitors will be entertained on arrival at Wanganui at noon. There will be a reception in the Hotel Imperial by the Mayor and Wanganui harrier supporters. ' After the race afternoon tea Will be served, and a dance will be held in the evening. Cars will leave the Masterton Post Office at 5 o’clock on Friday night, while other harriers will travel to Wanganui on Saturday morning. Runners should overhaul their gear before leaving, making sure that their shoes are properly oiled, and in good order. The laces should be renewed and singlets and shorts must be in good repair. Do not forget your support. as this is most essential, and it is very foolish to race without one. On recent form, M. Sellar, C. Orr, R. Wyeth, G. Gregory and R. Shaw should run good races, while R. Gully, R. Bell, and J. Baikie, along with the back markers are being relied on to make the points in Masterton’s favour.