NOTABLE SPRINT RACE.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 775, 26 March 1910, Page 3

NOTABLE SPRINT RACE.

A NEVER-TO-BE-FORGOTTEN :V sight. : ■ '•';-'":'■■'■ ■ HOW THE '.'BLUE STREAK". WOK,: Details of the > I race between J. 8.. Donaldson (Victoria), A. B. Postle (Queensland), and C. E. Holwayv (U.S.A.), for the world's championship, over 100 yds., which took place atJohannesburg lastinonth, show that on • the afternoon of the race there was a terrific thunderstorm, ■ and that the Stadium, which is practically a pit, wae quickly flooded, but the short duration of the storm allowed the ground staff'to get to work to rectify matters, and all attention was given to the cinder championship track. Bags and sawdust were utilised most freely, and.by 10 p.m. the track was comparatively dry and firm. Proof of its firmness was evidenced by, the energetic manner in which the niggers used the hard stable brooms to sweep off the sawdust. Such energywould have left nothing of a crumbly' or a slushy track. In addition, the spikes were coming out cleanly, and the contestants ■'. expressed themselves aa satisfied-with the going.' ■■■'■■ _

In tho draw for' positions Holway drew the centre track, Donaldson on.• ! his right. No time was lost'when the men 're-appeared on the track." Starter O'Connell explained his method of starting, and after'the exchange of prearranged signals with the .officials at the finishing-tape, the hell ; was rung and the men were "set." "When the gun was. fired Postle jumped away in the lead, closely followed .by' Donaldson, and Holway, each man putting it. all in. Up at 10 yards Donaldson was almost level with Postle, Holway a yard behind. Postle shoved on moresteam, and at 60 yards was a clear half-yard to the good. "Postle wins!" yelled the crowd, when suddenly Donaldson shot out with a paralysing burst that seemed to leave Postle momentarily fixed to the track, and, maintaining.' his meteoric speed, dashed through the tape a winner by two "yards. .Everyone, present was astounded, and all agreed that it was . a never-to-be-forgotten sight. Postle stated that he went on' to the track quite''fit, but could not. hold the winner, and Holway stated' after the match that ho would require 5 yards before opposing Donaldson i again.

' Varioos opinions are given by different writers about the state of tho track, some saying it was soft'and,'holding,: and others (including Mr. Knfo Naylor) iiat it was in. real good order, ' with ideal weather 'Conditions—a clear atmosphere, and not a breath of wind. One writer says that at 50 yards Postlo'. was 3 yards to the good, but.that 30yards farther ori Donaldson went past the Queenslander as if ho was standing still, winning by'2i yards. Watches rS- .' corded as follow: Mr. Bufe Naylor, 9J sec;; Mr. P. Camwa, 9 2-ssec.; and Mr. W. T. Seocombe, 9 3-Bsec. ' Some' unofficial timekeepers took ft at 9 W5 6©o»