Jim Callaghan wins harrier Sherwood Cup

Jim Callaghan, a doctoral candidate with the Physics Department, won the Sherwood Cup, the annual VUW Harrier Club's sealed handical race.

The race, approximately 4½ miles, was held over part of the clubs championship course at Packakariki.

Conditions on the day were cold with a light drizzly rain.

Callaghan's actual race time was 30m 25s, but with the adjusted handicap time, it was 26m 25s.

In second place with Peter Simpson. 27m 54s (actual time 28m 54s) and third Martin Fisher 28m 14s (actual time 28m 29s).

Fastest time over the course were recorded by Martin Fisher (28m 29s). Ian Stockwell (28m 29s) and Eric Cairns (28m 34s.).

Shaw Baton Relay: The outstanding feature of this first inter-club race of the harrier season, as far as Vic was concerned was the performance of the Junior team which finished third in its grade, causing a minor upset.

The race consisted of six laps of approximately one and one-eighth miles.

The six Vic juniors were M. Fisher (6m 0.6s). Len Watson (5m 56s). P. Simpson (6m 14s), E. Cairns (6m 0.6s), K. Harris (7m 17s) and J. Fisher (6m 18s).

The total race time was 37m 57s, with the second team Olympic, recording 37m 35s and the first team home, Masterton A, 36m 26s.

Len Watson's time gained him seventh fastest placing among the Juniors and M. Fisher and Eric Cairns were placed tenth equal.

Weakened by the inclusion of several top runners in the junior team, which was the first Vic has entered for many years, the two senior Vic teams did not perform very well, finishing in 12th and 14th places respectively out of 30 teams.

The "A" team was closely pursued throughout the race by the "B" team with only 14 sconds separating the two at the fourth lap. Fastest times for the seniors were Ian Stockwell (5m 55s). Peter Konig (6m 11s) and Tony Burge (6m 17s).

The total team times for the senior teams were 38m 13s and 39m 34s respectively.

As can be seen the junior team's time was some 16s faster than the Senior "A" team.

If the Senior "A" team had had the top juniors included, Vic would have been placed in 8th position instead of the 12th placing achieved.

Marathan: Three members of the club, Martin Fisher, Ian Hunt and Murray Pinkham competed with varying success in the Manawatu marathon at Palmerston North.

A former club member, John Souter, won the Marathon in 1967.

The race, with some 60 starters, was held over a 5-lap course around the streets of Palmerston North.

Conditions were quite good except for the gusts of wind which occurred.

The race was run on a handicap basis. Martin Fisher finished fourth and Ian Hunt 10th.

On the actual time recorded Ian Hunt (2h 50m 30s) was placed 7th and Martin Fisher (2h 51m 36s) 8th. Murray Pinkham finished in 3h 14m 20s.

It was unfortunate that Fisher and Hunt "blew up" over the last four miles of the marathon as they were both near the qualifying time for an Athletics Blue.