HAHN BEATS ROSE IN CLIPPING TIME

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 3265, 8 February 1926, Page 7

HAHN BEATS ROSE IN CLIPPING TIME

Scholtz Twice Breaks Evens

AND RUNS 220 IN 21 4-5 SECONDS

[Per Press Association.] , MASTERTON, Last Night.

The ’ American athletes made thelt first appearance in Masterton on Saturday, when a complimentary meeting was staged in their honour. Scholtz gave a brilliant exhibition of sprinting. He was second in the first heat of the 100 yards, won in 9 9-10th seconds and handsomely won the final by a yard in 9 4-Bth. His exhibition in the 220 yards was another fine [performance, In which he accounted Tor tho opposition in 21 4-Bth seconds. He overhauled the leaders 20 yards from the tape and won by a margin of two yards. Great intetest centred In the meeting of Rose and Hahn. The American dwelt at the start and Rose made the pace a cracker for the first half-mile, the first lap taking B 9 secs, and the first half 2.6 2-5. At the bell Hahn and led him by two yards. Three hundred yards from home it looked almost impossible for them to catch Heffer, a SO yards handicap man, but Hahn forged ahead and forty yai|ds from the tape was in front Rose disputed every inch of ground but the pace of the early laps had spelt defeat and’the American ran on brilliantly to win by IB yards fror Rose, who reduced his pace over (he last 30 yards to a jog. Heffer was seven yards further back, third. Hahn’s time was 4 min. 18 3-5 secs, which is one fifth slower than the Australasian record established on the Masterton track in 1914 by the American, J. A. Power. Hahn stated after the'race that he never Imagined he would do better than 4.24, but when he heard the time of the first two laps called, he was confident that Rose could not see it out at such a pace. This was Hahn’s only appearance at the meeting.

TITANIC STRUGGLE.

First Half in 3 Min. 6 2-5 Secs, (Special to "Times.")

The star event of the day was the mile handicap in which Rose and Hahn met for the first time since the commencement of the New Zealand tour. It was a titanic struggle, which will live long in the memory of all whose pleasure it was to witness the race. Both men stripped in fairly good fettle and the finish resolved itself into a matter of who had the most, natural speed. This proved to be Hahn and by his performance he left little doubt that the best man won. The race was made more interesting by a long limit to the handicap performers, in fact,, it appeared that Heifer (90 yards) would win but the pace applied by Hahn was too solid. It was a performance similar to that of his countryman, Rower, who on the same rack in 1914 established an Australasian record of 4 min. 18 2-5 secs., which has stood to this day.

Rose Makes the Rulming.

Hahn dwelt at the start and allowed Rose to take up the running, the latter with a slightly longer stride forged ahead and gained about 25 yards on the field, the first lap being covered in 59 secs. Nearing the end of the second lap Heffer ran up with the leader and as the scratch men crossed the line, 2 mins. 6’ 2-5 secs, was called j for the first half mile. The pace was telling its tale and slackened off in the third lap in which little impression was made by the back markers on their field. Seventy seconds for the third quarter was called making 3 min, 16 secs for the three-quarters. Heffer piloted the field into the last lap and as Rose commenced his last quarter Hahn flashed up and led his opponent by about three yards. A grim battle was waged between the two champions every inch of the way. Three hundred ■yards from home. Hahn was still running fpeoly, with Rose hanging on doggedly, out Heffer had such a break on the field that it looked almost impossible for him to be overtaken.

Hahn Hurries after Heffer. Little was it thought that Hahn was to achieve the seemingly Impossible. With admirable determination he set himself to his great task. Yard by yard he began to lessen the gap and when they turned he was In the front a furlong from home. Rose wavered and he dropped into a plodding stride which spelt nothing but defeat Summoning every ounce of energy,in his massive frame he made one last effort forty yards from the tape but the American still had a little in reserve. Accepting an Inevitable defeat Rose slackened his pace twenty yards from the finish and was 15 yards behind.

Bose’s Great Last Lap.

When Hahn crossed the line in 4 min. 18 3-5 secs., which is one-fifth of a second slower than Power’s 12 yars’ old record, a stirring reception was accorded each man.

Interviewed after the race Hah\t expressed surprise at running such good time. “I had doubts,” he said, "that I would be able to improve on 4 min. 24 secs., but when I heard the times called for the first and second ’laps 1 was confident for I knew Rose was travelling too fast and could not see it out. I was holding enough in reserve to see me out in a struggle over the last 150 yards.” he added, “but when the bell rang I could see the only hope of catching the limit man was to go all out for the whole lap.” Hahn made no attempt to hide his pleasure at the victory and paid a

tribute to Rose for his determined fight over the last lap. Legs Would Not Travel. Rose was quite satisfied with the result and added in his characteristic style that he would come again. "I appreciate Hahn’s performance” he said, “for he made me run the best mile of my career. I ran my own race and went under to a better man, but the result has not made me downhearted by a long way. I feel confident that with more training I will do better in time and I have the experience gained in this race to assist me in future contests. He added that his' wind hung out well, and his breathing was perfect, but for the first time In his career his legs gavi out and would not traveL