ATHLETICS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 29, 15 November 1935, Page 2

ATHLETICS.

RECORD MILE RUN.

MEMORABLE RACE AT CAMBRIDGE. A recent visitor to Cambridge was Mr David Craig, of Taumarunui, and a former resident of the district, states the “Waikato Independent,” In conversation with some of his early associates the tale of a memorable mile run was re-tc^d. Dave Craig, some 48 years ago, was a very fast mile runner, and at times trained on the old “Gwynnelands” racecourse. A horse trainer, Ltunsden by name, also fancied himself as a runnei*, and one night challenged allcomers to run a mile on the racecourse for £2O a-side. Craig was not present, but George and Jack McCann took up the challenge on his behalf. The race was arranged for the next morning. Lumsden made one condition, that the run should take place while his horses were working on the track. Craig at that time bached in a small house opposite the school in Duke Street, and at 10 o’clock that night was awakened by the McCann brothers and told to be on the course at 7 next morning. He, of wanted to know what it was all about, and after some argument at last agreed. His backers made sure he was on the ground, as they brought a buggy and pair and drove him out to “Gwynnelands.” Some 40 people were on the ground and the stand, and no, time was lost in getting the runners on their mark. As soon as they started, Lumsden called one of his stable lads to bring his horse, and he caught its mane. Craig then caught its tail, but George McCann, who had been expecting something unusual, came along with a very fast trotter, rode up alongside, and let Craig hold his stirrup-leather. He had a loose chain on his saddle, and its rattle frightened Lumsden’s horse, which bolted off the track, taking Lumsden with it. Craig and McCann continued on, and finished the mile in three minutes dead. This record still stands, and Dave is very proud of it.