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SMAD. An Organ of Student Opinion. 1933. Volume 4. Number 1.

Harriers Anticipate Big Year. — Attractive Fixtures

Harriers Anticipate Big Year.

Attractive Fixtures.

With the success of last year, the prospects for the coming season are brighter than ever. Our performances in the Provincial Championships and Craig Cup crowned by the winning of the B grade of the Shaw Baton, have given an. additional impetus to tackle the A grade with enthusiasm and grit. The prospective increase in membership, with the esprit de corps or the club, is going to give the V.U.C. a front rank in the harrier world.

Through the running of fast, medium, and slow packs all comers are catered for, allowing the slower to get the requisite amount of action without undue effort, at the same time permitting those more able to utilise their energy to the best advantage. For the early part of the season activities are confined to the weekly runs. Later club events, as the Novice and Club Championship races in the individual section, together with the proposed Weir House v. Rest and Inter-faculty races in the teams' section, prepare for inter-club competition more towards the end of the season. In Wellington this opens with the Dorne Cup, followed by the Provincial Championships; then in turn comes the Shaw Baton relay and the famous Vosseler Shield, while last of all is the Bennett Memorial, with the Craig Cup for the B grade and the 20-mile for the Olympic Gold Cup at Trent ham. Further afield there is the race at Christchureh on the King's Birthday, and Marton-Wanganui race on Labour Day. There are also hopes of inter-varsity competition. The scope tor expression of harrier ability need not be hindered, for in most events there is a B grade, for which any number of teams may be entered.

Just as players in other branches of sport pride themselves on their strong points, so too does the harrier. You need never be on the "bank," for no pack can be too large; you are always sure of a place. Further, you can please yourself whether it be for physical recreation or athletic success, since, if you do not aspire to the latter you are never deprived of a place in the pack. Tenacity of purpose, along with other moral qualities, gets an impetus in development that few other sports could give. Again, the scene is always changing; new country every five minutes induces a fresh feeling that needs to be experienced to be appreciated. Then again, the honour attached to being awarded a Blue or representing the V.U.C. is always at hand—an excellent inducement. If racing has its appeal, and you need not be a front-ranker to enjoy this, you can learn to appreciate the art of harrier racing.

The strategy that can be developed in a cross-country race is more subtle thin many would give credit

Students' Theatre Evening 31 st. March.

page 11

for. Watching for an opportunity to steal a march on competitors behind, when coming over a brow or changing direction with the wind and seeking the advantage, requires just as much skill and practice as it does to conserve energy and use one's judgment in pitting one's reserve against another. Team work finds more than this necessary; it is a co-operative effort, and demands the close attention of each member. Individualism is discarded and all effort directed towards obtaining the lowest aggregate of points. The camaraderie is all-important, as it is on the effectiveness of this whether or not a team may win.

The economy with which one may indulge in this sport is worthy of consideration—about 5s will cover any outlay, a singlet and shorts. The running of slow packs will enable you to get into form and graduate through to the faster. If you have any queries, leave a note in the rack for the Secretary or Club Captain, or come to the Annual Meeting, Friday, March 17th