Harriers Run Third to Masterton

University Harriers proved their position as a leading Wellington team by finishing a good third in the great Wellington-Masterton relay. The race is one of ten laps stretching over sixty-three miles of bitumen highway and is regarded as one of the toughest harrier courses in New Zealand. The Varsity team maintained a high standard throughout and at no time were they lower than third out of eleven competing teams. The team was G. Hawke. J. Hunt, J. Sutherland, M. J. Q. Poole, J. Saxton, A. Hall, J. Goodwin, J. Holden, P. Whittle and J. Eccles.

Clem Hawke was our first man and gave the team a good lead by finishing more than 200 yards ahead of the next runner, W. Smith of Hutt Valley, with L. King (Lyndale), runner-up for the Junior National Cross Country Championships last year. In the second lap J. Hunt was second to the Lyndale man, and after the next change-over to J. Sutherland Hutt Valley temporarily moved up to second place. But when Upper Hutt was reached J. Sutherland recaptured second place. At the next change-over the Hutt Valley-Varsity duel was resumed between M. Poole and Hutt's J. Crosby, the Hutt Valley man having a small lead when Poole handed over to A. Hall, who ran very well. At the Mangaroa hill Saxton was still third, but Scottish had moved up rapidly and was seriously threatening our position. At the Summit only a yard separated University and Scottish, with a big gap to the others, and it was abundantly clear that these were the only four teams with any chance. On the downhill run J. Holden made up 880 yards, making the fastest time for this lap. After the next change over J. Goodwin picked up over a minute on the Hutt Valley man, and handed over to P. Whittle, who ran extremely well, handing over to J. Eccies, who finished the lap a good third—1,300 yards from the Lyndale man.

All the first four teams in beat Lyndale's time for last year, which was a remarkable achievement. On showing of the team the University club definitely has the second strongest ten men team in Wellington. Which should improve rapidly, ensuring a successful season.