ATHLETICS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 5, 18 October 1935, Page 2

ATHLETICS.

A LONG-DISTANCE WALKER. SCOTT A WORLD CHAMPION. A correspondent writes to a Wellington journal as follows: joe Scott, a Dunedin bootmaker, was once the world’s champion longdistance walker. He proved his ability both in New Zealand and at Home. His name 50 years ago was a household word in the colony, but probably there are many of the younger generation who do not know of the * feats performed by . this champion of the early eighties. He beat the champions of other countries in 12 hours, 24 hours, 48 hours and six-day walks. During some 17 years of walking he was defeated on very rare occasions. When only 13 years of age Scott won an Australasian championship ; against William Edwards, and he went on eventually to win the world’s championship: belt for the six-day walk. During his travels he met such famous men as John Hibherd, W. Howe and O’Leary. The Dunedin Garrison Hall was the scene of many of Scott’s victories and one contestant who challenged; him there was Arthur. Hancock, a noted English pedestrian and winner of many important events. The first match between the pair had the 50mile walking championship of the world at stake, and was won by Hancock by a lap. The second time the pair met it was for a 12-hour walking contest when Scott avenged his earlier defeat and won by five or six yards. Hancock did not turn up for the third round and Scott, rather than disappoint patrons, made an attack on the 24-hour world’s record. Although unsuccessful he made a- good attempt and was beaten by only 25 or 30 minutes. When he retired from the track, Scott, who was a modest and unassuming young man, returned to his bootmaking shop in the NorthEast > Valley, Dunedin. He died, in 1908.