NEW NURMI ON THE TRACK

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 3287, 5 March 1926, Page 7

NEW NURMI ON THE TRACK

Rose Runs Mile in 4.13 3-5 secs HAHN BEATEN BY 17 YARDS SCHOLTZ FLIES OVER 100 AND 220. At tho park oval at Masterton last night, 4000 people witnessed Randolph, A, Rose again defeat the American champion, Lloyd Halm, for the third time in four matches. It was a titanic struggle, in which Rose proved his undoubted superiority, and in doing so clipped 4 4-ssecs off the Australasian record, established on the Masterton track, by J., A. Power In 1014, and made time which is only one second shorter than the then world’s record established In 1015 by N. Taber, of the United States, [Special to “Times.”] MASTERTON, Last Night. Tho occasion was marked by unparalleled enthusiasm, and the crowd swarmed the track and closed in on the two champions over the last 50 yards. Both were cheered to the echo, and Rose was carried shoulder high to the accompaniment of more salvoes of cheers. The evening was calm with a trace of wind. It was clear overhead and the track was perfect. Scholtz stated after the meeting that a runner could not have wished .for anything better, and had he been running on a straight track over the 120 yards, Instead of round a bend, he was confident that he would have done better than 21secs. The Greatest Race Ever, The mile was undoubtedly the greatest race ever witnessed on the oval. Rose stripped in great fettle. Both men anxiously awaited their call to the mark. They pranced around restlessly, seeming relieved when they got the signal and moved off together, but it was soon to be learned that the American was to adopt different tactics from his previous matches. Haim’s New Role. Instead of lying in behind as he has done in the past, three contests he hit the front, and led the Mastertonian by two yards for the first quarter, which was left behind in 60secs. Pace a Cracker. The second lap saw tho same positions held, and as Hahn crossed the line the lap Steward called 2mins., 4 2-ssecs. As may be seen from the time the pace was a “cracker.” The same order was maintained over the third lap with the American still in the van by three yards, but the gap between the back markers and the limit men had been appreciably lessened. Tho three-quarters of a mile was covered in 3min., 11 l-ssecs. ►Seemingly Impossible Happens. It was hardly presumed that the scratch men could se the Journey out so terrific was the pace, but the seemingly impossible was to happen. At the bell Rose flashed up to his opponent and led him by three yards. In this position they ran locked together to the 300 yards peg, where the first of handicap men was overhauled. The New Zealander did not let up for a second. He hung doggedly to his task, but as they raced past the kiosk the pace appeared to be telling its tale. Hahn’s Last Effort. Turning the last bend for home, the champions had left the field behind, and Hahn, moving up, drew level. “He’s got him,” cried the frenzied crowd, but it was only a temporary effort, and as they straightened up a deafening roar from the crowd accompanied Rose’s charge to the front. Hahn made a valiant effort to retrieve his advantage, but he was a spent force and Rose romped home a winner by 17 yards. Time. 4mins., 13 3-ssecs. “He’s Sure a Wonderful Runner.” Rose was in wonderful form and over the last furlong he seemed more resolute than ever. Against this Hahn had nothing in reserve. He had set himself out to beat Rose by different tactics, but had spent himself over the early stages of the journey. * Interviewed after the race, Hahn could say nothing but words of praise for Rose's achievement. “He’s sure a wonderful runner,’ ’ said the goodnatured American “and his form today could not be denied. When I made my run round the last curve I thought I could do it in to the tape, but it only lasted me 30 yards. Had I been in good shape I think I would have run better than 4.14 also, but I was not and on the day the better man won.” Wonderful Sprints by Scholtz. Scholz won the 100 easily in lOsecs., and the 220 likewise in 21 4-5, equalling tho New Zealand record. OUR VISITORS. Scholtz was one of the greatest of the great who competed in the Olympic Games last year. He has the record of 91scc for 100yds to his credit. and is th 0 Olympic champion at 200 metres and the U.S.A. champion at 220yds, with a record of 20 4-ssec to his credit. Harold Abrahams has the greatest admiration for his athletic ability. Hahn is also a runner of excellent quality, and won the American junior mile championship In 1923 on the Stagg Field, Chicago, in 4min 23sec —not bad for a junior. On the day following ho ran third in the senior mil e championship to Joie Ray and Ray Bilker, the former on that day

I winning his race for the seventh conUecutive, and the eight lime in all. Ray was clocked to do 4min 18sec In this race, and was on@ or the greatest runners in history. Hahn is the American indoor record holder at 1000yds at 2min 13 4-ssec —a very tine performance, and was second in the U.S.A. Olympic Trial at 1500 ; metres last year to Ray Buke'r. BLUE ribands. The following limes are interesting in view of Rose’s wonderful performance at Masterton last night: | World's record: P. Nurmi, 4mins 10 2-ssees. at Stockholm, 1923. Previous world’s record: N. Taber. 4mins 12 3-ssecs.. in America, 1916. British amateur record: A. G. Hill, 4mins. 13 4-ssccs.. 1921. Previous British amateur record; ,7. Binks 4mins. IP 4-ssec3., 1902. World’s professional record: W. G. George. 4mins. 12 3-4 secs., in America, 1886. ROSE V. HAHN. The following are the results of the four meetings, to dace, of Rose and Malm: — February 6, at Masterton, Haht. beat Bose by' 15 yards, in 4mins 18 3-asccs (a fifth of a second’ slower titan the Australasian record e.stsb. lished on '.the Masterton track by A. j. i->owor, the American, in 1914. Hahn stated after the race that h; never imagined he ould do better than 4.24, but when ho heard the time of lh e first two laps called, h 5 \,as confident that Rose could not see h out at such a pace. February 13 at Wellington. —Rose beat Hahn, unplaced, in 4mlns 26 2-S'SCCS. March I.—-At Christchurch, Rose beat Hahn, by two yards, in 4mins. 19 2-ssecs. March 4. —At Masterton, Rose beat Hahn, by about twenty yards, in 4 mins., 13 3 ssecs„ this time being nearly five seconds better than the Australian record of 4mins. 18 2-5 secs. Rose also holds the three-mile , Australian record, having broken it , a): the New Zealand Championships, at Wanganui, on February 28, 1925. , Rose’s time then was 14mins. 24 1-5 , secs., h e having clipped several sec- , onds off W. F. Simpson’s Australasian record, which the Christchurch man put up in 1901. The previous day (February 27) Rose won the mile In < imins. 26 l-ssecs. I Nurmi's world record for three 1 miles is 14mins.. HJsecs., put up in : Finland. 1923. 1 JAVELIN RECORD. ESTABLISHED BY ATHLETIC ( PRODIGY. i HAWERA, March 4. c Stanley Lay, the nineteen-ycar-old 1 Hawora athlete, while competing at 1 the electric light sports meeting last evening, broke his own Australian and New Zealand record for throwing the javelin by registering a throw of 181 feet 7 inches. The previous record, about three fc-et less than this, was established at t Hawera six weeks ago. v Lay is a Taranaki representative r cricketer, and last season played for t the provincial B Rugby team. u