THE PEDESTRIAN TOURNAMENT.

Evening Post, Volume XX, Issue 213, 11 September 1880, Page 3

THE PEDESTRIAN TOURNAMENT.

«. A twenty-four hours' walking match for the championship of New Zealand commenced at the new Drill Shed at 10 o'clock last nigfht. The conditions were that the competitors might go as they pleased — either walk or run, or both— for 24 hours, and at the end of that time whoever had covered the greatest distance would be awarded the first prize —^£30 and a gold medal valued at ten guineas. The second prize is .£ls, and the third £5. The starters were— Croft, Hansen, Boyde, Norling, Webber, and T. Smith, of Wellington ; Swan, Christohurch. ; Brooks, Dunedin • and Neary, of Wanganui. Webber retired after the first 12 miles, Neary after 18 miles, Boyde after 19 miles, and Nolan after covering 31 miles. At 8 o'clock this morning Croft had covered the greatest distance — §0 miles — and was then covering the ground at the rate of s£' miles an hour ; but he was then walking, though pluokily, with apparent distress. Fifty-eight of the 60 miles he covered without once leaving the track, and with no more nourishment than was contained in a bottle of aqua pura. Brooks was second at the close of the 10 hours, having done 59 miles, Swan third, with 53£ miles, and Hansen last with 53 miles. None of the walkers had, up to the hour named, rested for more than an aggregate of ten minutes. At the close of the first 12 hours the distances covered wore— Croft, 68 miles ; Brooks, 65 miles ; Hansen and Swan, 60 miles each. Brooks and Hansen, like Croft, walked with great pluok, but their forms were bent and their action labored. Swan, however, was walking in admirable style. Straight as a dart, he strode on with an appearance of freshness altogether surprising. At 1.30 p.m. the positions were thus— Croft, 84i miles ; Brooks, 82$ miles ; Swan, 76 l-7th miles ; and Hansen, 71 7-lOths miles. Swan, though somo eight miles in the rear, was Btill walking as briskly and easily as if he had only just started, while the other competitors seem to be greatly fagged ; and if one may judge from appearances, he is likely to come off victorious and without showing muoh sign of fatigue. Croft has done wonders, for although he is not unknown as a short distance runner, he has never before attempted a walking feat of any magnitude. (For further news see page 4.)