A RIVAL HELPED WOODERSON TO CREATE A WORLD RECORD

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 88, 14 April 1945, Page 5 (Supplement)

A RIVAL HELPED WOODERSON TO CREATE A WORLD RECORD

ON the unbearably hot afternoon of June 6, 1939, Sydney Wooderson, his trainer, the celebrated Albert Hill, a party of friends and myself flew from London to Manchester in a plane placed at our disposal by Kemsley Newspapers, writes W. Capel Kirby.

Within a few hours of touching down at Barton aerodrome, where, by the way, the thermometer registered 86.6 in the shade, Syd Wooderson ran the race of his life to become the first human being ever to run three-quarters of a mile in less than three minutes.

If you were not fortunate in being among the 10,000 spectators at Fallowfleld that evening, here's Syd Wooderson himself to tell you his version of that hectic dash on the eve of his departure for America. This is what he says:

Yes, I remember the heat and a considerate pilot taking, our plane to an altitude of between 4000 and 5000 feet to save me the discomfort of a bumpy flight.

As to the race, I had determined on an all-out effort of three laps in 59s each,' to give me a 2.57 threequarter mile. So much depended on the first lap. . . and what a lap!

A. Littler,' the, Lancashire halfmiler, dashed into the lead at an incredible pace, actually ran the first quarter in 555, and, drew away 20 yards or more.

Littler never let up until after two laps he literally fell out of the race, having completed his half-mile pacemaking contribution in 1.57 i, which, incidentally, was the fastest he hact ever run.

Having survived the gruelling first lap, my other rivals, Arthur Collyer, the A.A.A. half-mile champion, of Watford, and J. Kierans, of Salford Harriers, were stepping it out so lively and well that I was content to let them make the running.

Never had my legs felt so light. . . my feet seemed scarcely to touch the firm track prepared by "Dad" Evans. At the bell I took the lead and a full-throated roar from the crowd sped me away on the final lap. My time for the half mile was 2.0. Could I cover the last 440 yards in under a minute?

I can only say Arthur Collyer made one of the greatest efforts of his athletic career, for by keeping close on my heels he forced me to go even faster than I might have done if unchallenged. His assistance Was invaluable. Would my legs stand up to the strain of a last furlong sprint? I put them to the test. They responded, and I drew away from Collyer to the accompaniment of an encouraging cheer which increased in volume as I accelerated round the last bend and came into the home straight. I can remember Albert Hill throwing his arms round my shoulders — a sure indication of success—and people cheering and congratulating me long before the timekeepers had compared their watches. Silence, and then tne announcement that I had broken the record in. the time of 2.595. • . "Incredible, I just can't believe it possible," remarked Collyer, who was only 20 yards behind at the finish. Neither could I for some time afterwards. About two hours later we were back in London, tired, but extremely happy.