WALKING CONTEST.

Otago Witness, Issue 2007, 11 August 1892, Page 31

WALKING CONTEST.

The third of a seiies of walking matches between J. Scott and F. Bowen for a stake of L2OO took place in the Garrison Hall on Monday Lijht and ended in & fiasco, Bowen resigning to the local man. The attendance, though not so large as at the former competitions, one of which was gained by each of the men, was fairly good. The event on the present occasion was the 24 hours' contest and was started about 10 p.m. It was preceded by a two hours' go -as - you - please, for which there were three starters— namely, R. L. Moreland scr, C. Brown lrain 40sec, and J. Krause 3min ssec. The men kept well together for the first hour, in which 74 miles were accomplished, but Krause, who has been associated with Bowen in the lattor's training, showed superior condition, and as the contest proceeded he gradually drew away, eventually winuing with 13 miles 19 laps to his credit. Brown obtained second money with 13 miles 9 laps, while Moreland, who became footsore and

had to take a rest during the second hour, was last. There was an interval of about a quarter of an hour before Scott and Bowen were started on their journey. The former looked in better form and walked with greater freedom than in either of the previous distances, but Bowen was somewhat stiff at the start, though this wore off afterwards. Scott mado the pace pretty warm, and Bowen seemed to be somewhat pushed in order to keep at his heels. The first hour saw 5 miles 17 laps to the credit of each of the competitors, and after they had finished six miles together Bowen stopped for a few moments, during which Scott put on half a lap. A couple of circnits beforo the seventh mile- was accomplished, however, Bowen had wiped off this trifling deficiency and was again just behind his opponent. Shortly afterwards, however, Bowen left tho track iv order to change his shoes, and in his absence Scott attained a lead of five laps. Again, when his record was 12 miles 17 laps, Bowen retired, and it at enco began to be rumoured about the hall that ho would not return to the track. So it proved ; for at 12.25 a.m., at which time Scott had accomplished 13 miles 16 laps and was going strongly, Bowen appeared on tho stage, accompanied by his trainer, and intimated that he gave in to Scott, and that he would not require the latter to complete the specified time. It was explained that though Bowen's condition was all that could be desired, he had been under medical treatment during the past week, and that he had not yet recovered from the illness which caused him to retire from the track in the 12 hours' contest. He stated himself that if he had had an additional month in which to prepare for the match, he might have been able to win, but in the present state of his health he could not do so. On the call of each competitor cheers were given for the other, and the spectators then dispersed.