A WONDER RUNNER

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 23 June 1928, Page 15

A WONDER RUNNER

ALEX CAMPBELL AT HIS BEST. SURPRISE WINS FROM BACK MARKS. SOME JOKES WHICH DIDN’T COME OFF. (By “Physical Culturist.”) It is pleasing to realise one’s efforts are appreciated. In contributing to this l column] I have endeavoured to do justice to a number of athletes' who have from remote ages appeared at athletic gatherings within the vicinity of Mount Egmont. To give an authentic account of the performances of all the men who have over the best part of half a century set a standard, for present-day athletes to emulate is almost impossible. In those early days there was no governing body. Practically every country gathering had its own rules and was a law unto itself. A society would flourish for a few years and then die out, and its' minute book containing the only record would become lost. ■ The local newspaper would record the sports and results, and some athletes would in their enthusiasm keep scrap books with press clippings, hut as they grew older their enthusiasm has waned, and the scrap book laid aside to lie- finally lost. Of all the sports clubs which flourished in this district during the ’eighties and ’nineties which have become defunct I have only located one- old.minute book, that of the old Hawera Athletic Club. The first date which appears in it is 1880. This I have been privileged to peruse by the courtesy of Mr. W. J. McNiven. who was for years secretary to fhe club. From its pages I have noted the names of many athletes who by their deeds had the spectators on their toes. Thanks to quite a number who are strangers to me other than by name. I have press clippings' of men and events now almost forgotten. I fullv apureciate the letter signed by “Stop ‘Watch” in reference to his ideal, Alex. Campbell. To such men as Campbell the present generation of athletes owe- much. To a youth such as “Stop Watch” appears to have been when this athlete was at his zenith, the Hawke’s Bay champion would he an inspiration to go and do likewise. “Stop Watch” writes, in effect, that if “Phvsical Culturist” could give anything like a detailed narrative of this old champion’s ixirformances he is_ confident it would! he much appreciated by “Star” readers who follow the course, of athletes. I am somewhat afraid it is now almost impossible to trace, in detail the performances of this wonder runner. In years long past I often discussed this _ athlete with others who comneted with and l against him. In one thing they were all am-eed; bis tongue would not keep pSee with his legs. He was one of the most reticent men on the track, also one of the best natured. I have for some time past enedavoured to .collect from various sources a list of his performances and times as far as possible supplemented by newspaper reports. I have had sundry correspondence with Campbell, requesting, him to endorse or verify eeitain happenings, sonic oi which he has clone by submitting press extracts. Of others lie has requested me to write to authorities or refer to reliable witnesses who were present, as he states lie does not wish to be credited with times he did not accomplish. Campbell had a scrap hook with press reports of the majority of events in which lie l competed. Tlii-s- hook w-n.fi. lent and lost, and consequently there are, quite a number ol events which must be omitted. However, I have collected sufficient data to give some idea of what the Hawke’s Buy athlete was capable of. By a coincidence I, received two letters on two successive days last week —the first, from Campbell, of Tikokino, the second from A. W. Watts, of \Vellineton. Both referred to the 440yds handles championship at Wanganui in 1903, when “Carbine” was first and Cam obeli second. In his letter Alex, writes: “I only went cap to Wanganui for a, holiday. I didn’t have a run for those sports at all. I ran second in 440yds championship hurdles that day to a. man named W atts. 'He used to he a, great hurdler. I. would have beaten him only he was such a quick jumper. I used to jump so high, never having practice over handles.” fm an interesting letter that keen old general “Carbine” Watts writes: “I was most interested in the review of Campbell in ‘The Hawera Star.’ Yes. I would like to see a race between Huckstep, Campbell. Barnes, and those other celebrities, all lit and well; it would lie a. great go, hut I think Rose’s finishing run would have lxeen too fast for the others. I always thought of Campbell when. I saw Rose in action. I thought their style .was very similar. [Of course, Watts means when Rose was Rose, not after Iris disastrous trip -abroad.]. I saw Campbell in Wellington seeing someone off during the war, and I had a yarn with him. He ran second to me fn 440yds hurdles at Wanganui cham(Cpntinued in next .column).

pionships, and lie was surprised when I told him he could easily have won the race had he known what I did — that I developed a. terrible stitch when I landed over the fourth hurdle. I was almost pulling up, but struggled over the fifth, the exertion of which eased the pain. He said he was watchin, r tlic other runners, and never dreamt ol' catching me.” The two championship hurdle wins marked the finish of a long and brilliant athletic career for A.W.W. Quiet and unassuming, Campbell was possessed of a shrewd brain with a keen sense of humour. There were those who were looked upon as clever, who thought it quite the thing to take a rise out. of Alex. There were some brainy ones who used to score by Campbell’s successes, but did not- always let him into the good' things intended to come off. Amongst the hoys were two well-known athletes, brothers Johansen. One was a famous axeman ; the other a distance runner and walker. One New Year’s Day the two brothers and Alex, were competing at Dannovirke. One brother, Charlie, running in. the mile, had 120yd.s.drorn Alex. With this gtart he decided ,to have a go on his own without putting his friend wise .to the fact. To give point to the story, I may state that his brother had competed in the chopping just before the mile started. When the gun went Charlie made the most use of his start, setting a merry pace, quite certain in his own mind that’ Alex, would never bridge the gap. However, when just as he was entering the last lap he heard CjV.mpbell’s voice at his shoulder enquiring quite casual Iv, “How did your brother get on in the chop, Charlie?” it. was altogether too much for Charlie, who with a crestfallen look on his face, said, “Bust you!” and ceased strug(dio\ feamnhell won in a canter. ’ Alex, was not only a- natural horn athlete, hut he was one of the gamest of the came, as the following little story will serve to show. One year Al<?x. t-ered in Strcitfoi*cl inilo. then looked on as one of the best miles to be won in Taranaki. Congregated together were the cream of New Zealand distance runners, such as J. Sexton, a 4.25 man, Spencer Barnes, Murphv (who was killed at the war), and I ‘believe A. Whiting, of Eltham. was in the same race. Some of the bovs put their heads together and selected one of the number to wan. The only one likely to upset calculations was A. Campbell, scratch. Not deeming it necessary to let too many into the know, they decided not to let Alex, into their confidence, but if lie should prove dangerous they would give him a rocky run. The rod in pickle was in top form, and with his start the boys thought he held Campbell safe. However, “the best laid schemes ox mice and men aft times gang agley, and so it proved. Old Alex, was runnine right up to top form, and had backed himself. When he caught the cracks first one and then another gave him a bump. One elbow bump from Murphy sent him nearly across the track, 'knocking him clean out of his stride; tiulv, Alex, was knocked from pillar to post. The more he was bumped the more determinedly he ran until he finished the winner. Even to this dav the boys who ran-against him talk of'that race. If Alex, did not tumble- then to the game played on him, lie may possibly read those lines “then think some thinks.” I have before me n press cutting or recent years. Referring to the Takapiiu Caledonian Sports, which reads: “Amongst the spectators at the sports was the old-time long distance' champion Alex. Campbell. Runners of the calibre of Campbell don’t come ovcv\ year, hut it is to he hoped we mav soon see one or two more. Campbell in his old form would find it an easy matter to win any of the half-mile and mile ra.ees which have been run in this province- in the past few years.” *T hope at- an early date to publish in this column the majority of this interesting athlete’s performances. ANOTHER FEILDING ATHLETE.

There was another athlete who I should, have thought “Stop Watch would have, bracketed with Campbell in his memories of Feilding days-—one- or whom Feilding lads, were rightly proud —the isuccessoor to A. W. Watts, no less than Charlie Mexted. He did ngt last quite so. long as old “Carbine., but what a flier he was over all hurdle distances; as a high jumper in the same class as Jim Minhinnick. J. Troy, and other .men of their calibre, and an A 1 sprinter from 100 to 440. Charlie once remonstrated with J. Gollingwood (handicapper) for raising the limit in the 220yds from 18yds to 24yds, and in the 440yds froiu 35yds to 45yds, expressing the opinion he was commencing to sib on him. Collingwood replied' that in the interests of the clubs he was compelled to- do so, otherwise the runners would not enter against Mexted. Some, idea may thus he formed of the merits of this old Feilding bov. whose athletic career I purpose briefly reviewing at an carlv date.