ATHLETICS TWO MILE TRACK RECORD

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27674, 2 June 1955, Page 5

ATHLETICS TWO MILE TRACK RECORD

HUNGARIAN’S RACE AT WHITE CITY (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) ,, LONDON. May 31. Seldom has a great world’s track record been broken so handsomely and decisively as was that for the two miles at White City when S. Iharos (Hungary) returned Bmin 33.45ec and K. Wood (Great Britain) Bmin 34.8 sec, says the athletics correspondent of the “Manchester Guardian.’’ “That Iharos, a beautifully-made, lithe figure, should break the record was not unexpected, but that Wood also should do it was a complete and glorious surprise. “Just as Tabori, Chataway, and Hewson owed much to the pace-mak-ing of Gordon in the mile under 4min, so did Iharos and Wood owe much to the work of Tabori. “Tabori set the pace for the first six of eight laps, his approximate times between 63.55ec once, and then between 66sec and 67sec three times, the mile being passed in 4min 17.2 sec. “During this period, Iharos was prancing along in second place with Wood in close attendance. With the half-mile to go, Iharos shot past Tabori, who dropped out, and moved away as though he had not a care in the world and was just going to sail home alone.

“But before long, the growing cheers of the crowd and then a quick glance back told him that Wood was pursuing with the outmost determination, and was cutting down steadily the lead of about 10 yards that he had snatched when he accelerated. “Iharos completed the seventh lap in 61sec, but the incorrigible Wood was now only about four yards behind, and was continuing to close on him.

So they fled around the last lap amid a tornado of cheers, and coming to the last bend. Wood was right ofi the Hungarian’s heels.

“But Iharos could not be denied, and in the last 50 yards he was drawing away again and Wood was beaten at last. The last lap took only 61.4 sec. the last half-mile only 2min 2.ssec, the last mile only 4min 16.1 sec—an almost incredible performance if one had not seen it And Iharos thinks he may be able to beat Bmin 30gec.”