HARRIER TITLES

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21194, 17 August 1940, Page 15 (Supplement)

HARRIER TITLES

WAIKATO CROSSCOUNTRY C. BOGUE RETAINS JUNIOR OPEN TITLE TO L. D. IRWIN (By “Nurmi”) Conditions were fairly good, despite slight showers, for the third annual Waikato Cross-country Championships, which were held at Te Kuiti last Saturday. The course

selected by the Te Kuiti Club comprised an excellent mixture of road, undulating country and hill work. The fact that none of the leaders in either of the races had seen the course before, yet had no difficulty in following the trail, speaks volumes for the careful preparatory work of the Te Kuiti organisers. Another fact worthy of note is that the entire trail had been measured twice with a steel tape, thereby ensuring the correct distance. Far too often in the Auckland Province the crosscountry distances are mere guesswork, when a spot of energetic control such as exhibited by Te Kuiti would put this matter beyond doubt. The Waikato Cross-country Championship entrants have been somewhat fortunate in this respect, as the Hamilton Harrier Club has a surveyed 64 miles at the Te Rapa racecourse and surrounding country. This course was used in 1938 and again in 1939. The Te Kuiti Harrier Club, led by that well-known marathon performer, C. McCaiman, left no stone unturned to make the race a success and to ensure that the competitors were well cared for. Hot showers were available after the race and immediately the lads were dressed, afternoon tea was served. It can be truly recorded that the host club set a very high standard in the preparation for, and control of the events and the entertainment arrangements in the evening were such that every visiting competitor will welcome the next Te Kuiti trip. The Junior Event The junior cross-country championship of 3 1-8 miles drew 12 starters, six from Hamilton Harriers and a like number from C.Y.M. Punctually at 3 p.m. Waikato subcentre president, R. L. Manderson gave the signal and the lads went right into action. For the first quarter Richardson (H.) showed the way but at the half-mile mark Cranston (H.) was in front from Richardson, with Saunders (H.), Kemp (C.Y.M.), Adams ((H.) and Bogue (C.Y.M.) following. Going down on to the road about 1£ miles Bogue had run up to the leaders and was closely attended by Saunders, Cranston, Adams and Richardson, who were well bunched together. The intensive team work of this quartette was in further evidence when Saunders led them past Bogue on the main hill section, at the crest of which the order was Saunders, Adams. Cranston and Richardson at two-yard intervals with a break of 15 yards back to Bogue and fifty back to Kemp. Once over the top, however, Bogue, the title-holder, commenced his run and coming down towards the road again. Adams was showing the way, with Bogue moving up fast. When the road was reached Adams still had charge but Bogue soon displaced him. while Kemp loomed up from behind. Over the last five furlongs Bogue put in some good work, but he was kept up to it every inch of the way by Saunders and Cranston (who was minus’his shoes). The last corner left less than 200 yards of the race to go and it was a truly remarkable sight to see the first six runners in this final stretch, before the winner passed the tape. The placed order was:—C. Bogue (C.Y.M.), 22m 28s; N. Saunders (H.), 22m 375; M. Cranston (H.), 22m 435; L. Kemp (C.Y.M.), 22m 455; R. Richardson 22m 495; I. Adams (H.), 22m 50s. This closely-packed sextette were followed by McKinley (C.Y.M.), Sundvick (C.Y.M.), Martin (H.), Johnson and Thompson (both C.Y.M. together) and Smith (H.).

Holder’s Good Form

S'igue won well and will undoubtedly go a long way in the game. His rubber shoes were of no assistance whatever to him on the uphill stretch but he certainly stepped on it on the downhill and flat. Saunders, who was runner-up was somewhat of a surprise as he is ranked about No. 3 in his club. A solidly-built athlete Saunders finished in determined style and was actually gaining on Bogue in the last furlong. Saunders would be well advised to take up short track running in the summer with a view to improving his style. Cranston, Richardson and Adams ran up to expectations, while Kemp impressed by a fine burst at the end for fourth place. The Hamilton quartette had been well and truly trained for the teams event in which they recorded Hamilton’s first success.. It, was bad luck that coach “Ossie” Johnson was not present tosee his lads deliver the goods, as it is most unlikely that a future team will pack as closely together at the end as did last week’s team. Only 13 seconds separated Saunders and Adams and “Nurmi” has yet to see this performance bettered in a three miles teams race. Great Senior Duel The senior championship of 6$ miles soon developed into a private j duel between K. Chitty and L. D. i Irwin, both of Hamilton Harriers. Chitty, who invariably runs bare- | footed stripped particularly well and j with the going to his liking, made a ! great bid for the crown. Throughout I the first lap Chitty led by fifty yards, travelling in slashing style and tak- ! ing the obstacles like a champion, j Irwin, in second place, had parted company with his spikes and specj tators expressed surprise at the sight ' of two bare-foot runners in the lead. ! Irwin ran up to Chitty early in the i second lap and the pair stuck toj gether until the crest of the last hill, i when Irwin stamped on it to some purpose, opening a gap of 60 yards. Further back Patmore, of Te Kuiti, was running strongly and Gardner (H.), Garvey (H.) and Sattrup (C.Y.M.) were bunched when the road was reached. Over the last half-mile Irwin’s superior condition told and he crossed the line 100 yards ahead of Chitty with a gap of 500 yards back to Patmore. The finishing times were:—lrwin (H.), 44m 545; Chitty (H.), 45m 20s; Patmore

(Te K.), 46m 555;. Sattrup (C.Y.M.), 47m 465: R. Gardner (H.), 47m 525; Garvey (H.), 47m 58s; McCaiman (Te K.), 48m 395. Next in order were Jones (C.Y.M.), Kepple (C.Y.M.), Hughes (C.Y.M.), Charles (Te K.), Choat (H.), Mead (H.) and Davenport (Te K.). In annexing the Waikato open \ cross-country title Irwin completed a very satisfactory season as he had ; previously won the Hamilton Club 1 title and* earlier still Vthis season, I the Waikato half-mile track title. A j beautifully proportioned athlete, Ir- 1 win has strong staying powers and ! these, coupled with fine tactical : judgment duly landed the honours, j Chitty put up a wonderful showing, ! especially when one considers his j lack of opportunity for anything resembling systematic training. Given the chance to train under a coach and in company with other harriers, Chitty has the necessary essentials for a real top-notcher. It is unfortunate to record, in passing, that last Saturday will be Chitty’s last appearance this season, as he has transferred to Cambridge. Patmore, who took third place for Te Kuiti, and Sattrup (C.Y.M.) who was fourth surprised by their forward running. Both finished solidly, a fact which illustrates either much previous training, or if not, that they could, with training stay with the leaders. Hamilton duly annexed the teams race honours for the third successive year. It is pleasing to note that Te Kuiti, probably because of Patmore’s excellent showing, won the sealed handicap medals. The veteran McCaiman finished 7th and looked as though another round or two would not have troubled him. Dawson Shooter Recovering Hamilton Club members in par- j ticular and harriers generally will 1 be pleased to learn that Dawson ! Shooter is well on the mend after a serious throat operation. As handicapper, results steward and harrier reporter, “D.S.” is second to none, and “Nurmi” is quite certain thaeveryone will join him in wishing him a splendid recovery and a speedy , return to our ranks.