HARRIER ACTIVITIES.

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20260, 31 July 1937, Page 23 (Supplement)

HARRIER ACTIVITIES.

HAMILTON CLUB RUN. SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP PROSPECTS (By Stamina.) The Calliope paid a return visit to Hamilton last Saturday and had a combined six-mile run with the Hamilton club from the Y.M.G.A. A. Crabb and D. Millar were responsible for the trail, which led via Bryce and Tainul Streets Into Ruaklwi Road, thence via Ohaupo Road to the Hospital. Branching to the left at the top of the Hospital Hill, the trail took a semi-circle around the back of the Melville' School, negotiating a deep gully and striking the main road a quarter of a mile south of the school. The route then out across oountry to Lake Crescent, and thence along, the railway line' to Killarney Road. A final mile of roadwork brought the packs home via Queen’s Avenue, Marama Street and Bryce Street.

There were twelve Calliope men participating, and, as many Hamiltonians were busily engaged preparing the hall for their annual danoe, there were not many more than a like number of local boys out. for a run.

N. Ambler, of Calliope, led the fast pack home, without diffYculty while Jrwin, of Hamilton, was the second man to finish. R. Gardner (Hamilton) and N. Shorter (Calliope) sprinted along Bryce Street together and were followed at short intervals by Livingstone and Woods, of Hamilton, and Short (Calliope). A fast pace was maintained throughout and there was sufficient variety in the run to suit every type' of harrier.

Woods is a Hamiltonian who has shown a return to the form which characterised his runs in the earlier part of last season, and if he can retain It he' will be of valuable assistance to the club in the provincial championships. Benlor Club Championship. On Saturday next, August 7, the annual senior club championships will be decided over a 10,000 metre course at Ruakura. This event will also se'rvo as a trial to pick a representative for the provincial championships. The senior club title Is at present held by Jim Gardner who has so far failed to reproduce his best of last season, and, being out of the district, he is In any case a doubtful starter. The three most likely contenders for the honour on this season’s form are Crabb, R. Gardner and Irwin. The first-named led his club mates home in the' recent Auckland 1 event, and in view of the difficult country encountered there his chances 1 must be treated with respect. He is more adaptable' to road work but has definitely proved himself over country. (R. Gardner is now returning to 1 form after a spell and may strike the 1 peak on championship day. He accounted for the seniors without difficulty In the re'cent three-mile event at Te Rapa but may find the distance next week a little long.. He was third in the event last year, however, and will not be far away this year. L. Irwin won the novice' race in convincing style and If he is up with the leaders two hundred yards from home, he will outsprint any of them. He may find the pace a little trying at the start, but has proved himself a stayer who, if successful, would create an unprecedented occurrence by becoming senior champion In his first season with the harriers. However, it seems almost certain that Crabb, R. Gardner and Irwin will comprise the first three men home, and “Stamina” predicts that they will finish In that order. Alan Gardner will not be far behind the leaders and. If he can start, Jim Gardner will be all out to defend his title. Others who will figure prominently will be R. Livingstone, D. Millar, G. Roberts, Woods and C, Thompson, and the minor placings will indeed be hard to separate.

C.Y.M. HARRIERS. OUTING AT CAMBRIDGE. Run In Picturesque Countryside. The truth of the maxim of “Join the harriers and see the country” was demonstrated by the C.Y.M. Harriers last Saturday when 20 members motored to Cambridge for a six-mile run over the countryside. Setting off from the Presbyterian Church Hall in two packs, the runneri went via Sanatorium Hill, and round in a large semicircle through Fencourt and back along ' the railway line to the hall. In the slow pack J. Coombs beat C. Bogue and A. Martin in the sprint home. The fast pack had excellent competition for the lead, and over the last mile at least five different runners were in thhe lead at some stage. K. Bogue and I. Overheu had the misfortune to get bogged and lost the lead at a vital stage of the race. B. Coombe-s put in a good finish to win from A. Hamilton, while I. Overhue Just finished well enough to take third place from H. Hughes.