TASMANIA. FOOT-RACE FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIP OF THE COLONIES.

North Otago Times, Volume XI, Issue 359, 30 October 1868, Page 5

TASMANIA. FOOT-RACE FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIP OF THE COLONIES.

I A foot-race, for the championship of the colonies, and L200 a side, took place at the Mowbray Course, on the 28th September, distance 160 yards, between a Mr Richard Collins of Lymington, and Mr J. Gh Harris of Melbourne, champion runner of New South . Wales. A good many visitors ' came over from Victoria to witness the match. Of the race, the " Launceston Examiner" says ; — '• Both went away at a great pace, Harris getting the start by a step. He continued to increase the breaoh at every stride, going easy towards the finish. Collins ran manfully and put on a spurt at the close, but without effect, Harris winning easily by about 6 yards. The following information is supplied with regard to the competitors : — Mr Harris, at the present time has won 39 races of all kinds, he has been defeated 18 times, the whole of them being handicaps, in which he has run second. His usual stride is 7 feet 6 inches. His height is 5 feet 10 inches, and his running weight yesterday was 11 stone 2 pounds. His success has been so great in Victoria that among sporting men he is looked upon as a prodigy, and a proposal has been made to take him to England. This, however, Harris is opposed to, and is merely desirous of contesting the championship of the whole of the colonies for L200, when he intends retiring into private life. Mr Collins is a native of Tasmania, and about 33 years of age. Early in life his performances were good, and he soon became the best man at a hundred yards in the colony. A few years back he met Mills, then a first-class Victorian, runner, and beat him, Mills afterwards beating Collins in a backward race. Acknowledged to bo the champion of the Colony, of late years he has entirely given up running. In height he is about 5 feet 9 inches, and his running weight yesterday was 10 stone 4 pounds. In good trim and in regular practice, he is undoubtedly a match for most men ; but his friends have admitted that in this instance he was overmatchnd. About a fortnight ago Collins had a trial spin at the Nile, in the presence of his friends ; and on that occasion we are assured by several gentlemen that he covered 150 yards in 14 seconds. Generally, however, it is believed that notwithstanding the confidence of those who timed the trial, there must have been some mistake. Indeed it is stated that the fastest time 150 yards have ever been done in in the world is 14£ seconds.