Gigantic Field in Cycling Marathon

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 7282, 9 October 1933, Page 5

Gigantic Field in Cycling Marathon

HOT WORK IN 145-MILE JAUNT

CHRISTCHURCH, Oct. 7.

New Zealand’s cycling marathon, over the .145-mile course from Waimato to Christchurch, began at 5.15 this morning, when tho six limit men left on their long trip north. By the time the four scratch veterans left an hour and a-quanter later no fewer than 131 riders were wheeling their way towards the city famed as the Mecca of cycles. Those who failed to get away at all were Pluck, Donaldson, Ellis, Metcalf, Ling, McNiekcl, McCaw, Marks and Burgess. It was 12.36 when the first man, Lee, pulled into Ashburton, and tho first scratch man to get there was H. G. Watson at 11 minutes past one, followed by Crofts and Hill at 1.22 p.m. The Taco resulted as follows:—tM. M. Annett (Rollcston), Slmin. (time, 6 hours 45min. 53sec.) .. 1 R. Poekson (New Brighton), 60min. (time, 7hrs. 15min. 35scc.) .. 2 ,S. T. Wilson (Kaiapoi), 60min. (time, 7hrs. lGmin. 35sec.) .. 3 Fastest time: H. Watson (scr.). Time, 6hrs. 19min. 24sec. Watson finished in eleventh place, breaking his own record by four minutes. Second fastest time was secured by S. A. Jordan (10min.), 6hrs. 32min. 33 see. The Waimate-Christohurch road race is the classic wheel event in the South Island. A few details of tho course are of interest to northerners. The first stretch from Waimate to Tiraaru (approximately 45 miles) is probably the stillest past of the course. Quite a few hills, though of no great size are encountered. From Timaru to Ashburton, a distance of 50 miles, the road has a gradual rise all the way and there is a lengthy patch of metal road to be negotiated. After crossing tho Rangitata Tiver bridge at Geraldine the limit men are usually still holding a good advantage but are beginnig to tire. From Ashburton to Christchurch is roughly 50 miles and the. Toad is level all the way, a greater part having quite recently been asphalted. It is on this latter stretch that the scratch men make the most of their Tiding ability. Originally the course was from Timani to Christchurch but the enthusiasm of cyclist - suporters in Waimate was responsible for the start being made from there.