CROSS-COUNTRY RUN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 11 October 1943, Page 2

CROSS-COUNTRY RUN

PRIMARY SCHOOL CONTEST I FOR KIATERE SHIELD. WIN FOR ST. PATRICK'S TEAM. The conditions were ideal on Saturday for the running of the schoolboys cross-country teams race. The course, which was approximately 2.1 miles, was over varied country. The competitors had their first sample of cross-country running, jumping creeks, getting over fences and dodging mud, and finished round the Oval with a fine burst of speed. There were 70 runners from the various primary schools in Masterton. Many showed good style and form. At the conclusion of the race, Mr. W. MacDonald, the Kiatere Harrier Club captain, announced the winning team and the individual results. He then called upon Mr. E. J. Helfer to present the trophies. “It gives me great pleasure,” said Mr. Heffer, “to present this fine shield to the winning team. Nearly all secondary schools in New Zealand have cross-country runs, but few, if any, primary schools participate in such events, and this race today is a start in the right direction, for to train boys when they are young brings out the athletic tendencies which, if not fostered, would lie dormant.” Mr. Heffer said he, as a former runner, knew of the benefit that could be derived from participating in such events. He congratulated the Kiatere Harrier Club on promoting the race and presenting the shield. Referring to the way in which the members of the winning team had kept together throughout the race, Mr. Heffer said that the coach of the team must have spent a lot of time with the boys. D. O’Connor, captain of the winning team, St. Patrick’s. A, received the shield.

Mr. Heffer also presented trophies to the individual winners. A special prize, from an anonymous donor, was presented to Hamish McNeilage, the individual winner. Cheers were then given for the winning team. The following are the individual results: — R. McNeilage, 17min. 11 2-ssec. (Lansdowne School), 1; I. Reynolds, 17.14 (West School), 2; B. Mclsaac. 17.32 (Hadlow), 3; D. O’Connor, 17.32 1-5 (St. Patrick’s), 4; M. Gleeson, 17.45 (St. Patrick’s), 5; J. Smaille, 17.46 (Central), 6.

The teams results arc: St. Patrick’s A, 17 points, 1; West A, 29 points, 2; Central Thunderbolts, 33 points, 3; Hadlow, 39 points. 4: Central Scarecrows, 41 .points, 5; Lansdowne A, 55 points, 6.