Sydney Wooderson

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 144, 21 June 1939, Page 6

Sydney Wooderson

POPULAR IN ENGLAND The following appeared recently in the Sydney Referee:— “Sydney Wooderson, world mile run record-holder, in winning the invitation scratch mile at the Bourneville (Birmingham) sports set up a new Midland record when he ran the mile in 4min. 12sec. as against the previous record of 4min. 13.4 sec. Wooderson was opposed by his brother, who did the first lap in 50sec., but later retired to allow his champion brother to go ahead. The champion covered the ground at a great pace and finished at 4min. 12sec. The crowd of 40,000 rose and cheered to the echo this mighty effort on the part of Wooderson. Wooderson always can be relied upon to give the crowd value for their money.

“It does not matter whether it is before the huge crowds of a London sports tournament, with the important people present, or the usual provincial factory sports gathering, Wooderson runs his mile as if his life depended on it. His British admirers are wondering what ho will do in the United States, where he is due to run. Against Glenn Cunningham, Charles Fensko and Johnny Borican, Sydney Wooderson has his work cut out, but whatever the result, Wooderson can be relied upon to do his best.”

Sydney Wooderson subsequently finished last in tho Princeton invitation mile, and claimed that one of his four American opponents crowded him in the last lap. As the result of this he has drawn a storm of adverse criticism in American newspapers.