LOVELOCK’S EASY WIN

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 17 June 1935, Page 5

LOVELOCK’S EASY WIN

“MILE OP A CENTURY" RACE. '< WORLD CHAMPION BEATEN. (United Cress Association —By Electric Telegraph Copyright). '« PRINCETON, June 15. J. E. Lovelock, New Zealand, won the “mile of a century," the feature event of the annual Princeton invitation track meeting, in 4m. 11.25., compared with 4m. 6.75., the world's record, held by Glenn Cunningham, who finished third. Bonthron was second. Lovelock laid back most of the distance, but sprinted strongly and finished ten yards ahead of Bonthron. The case with which Lovelock won was the feature of the race and not the time.

It was a sweltering hot day in the Palmer stadium, but the New Zealander did not seem to mind. He came in. as fresh as a proverbial daisy. The crowd of 40,000 cheered as the six runners left the mark. Glen Dawson led over the first quarter-mile with Cunningham and Bonthron pressing him, followed by Yenske, while Lovelock was willing to let them set the pace at the start. In the second quarter Cunningham took the lead, followed by Bonthron and Lovelock. As the other starters dropped back Lovelock kept his position easily until the turn into the home stretch.

Then he went away with a burst of speed that neither Cunningham nor Bonthron had in reserve and crossed the finishing line a good eight yards ahead of Bonthron who, by a supreme effort, passed Cunningham, who was fading. It appeared to the spectators that Lovelock could have made a much better time and perhaps broken the record, but he followed the usual tactics, racing only to win. This he easily did.