PROFESSIONAL ATHLETICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3003, 4 October 1911, Page 62

PROFESSIONAL ATHLETICS.

By Sport. WORLD'S SPRINT CHAMPION SHIP. DONALDSON DEFEATS. HOLWAY. REMARKABLE RUNNING. Jack Donaldson,' Australia's " blue streak," raced over 130 yards at the Sydney Sports Ground on Saturday, September 23, as lie, or, for that matter, no one else, has ever done before. Five yards in the rear finished Charles E. Holway, the American, champion, flier. The. weather conditions and track were favourable to good running, and . the- attendance was in the vicinity of 7000 when the time for the big raee came round. About an hour before the time set down for the race a massive form in a brownish dressing gown was seen approaching the track. It was Holway out for a trial spin, and he got a fine reception from the crowd. After shedding his gown and red sweater the American looked a picture—physically. At a glance (says Sydney Daily Telegraph) he suggested tremendous strength and vitality. On the mark, • and one short break, showed at once that he was running in better style than before. As the Yankee tore up the track the crowd cheered. His style and movements suggested a stylish trotter. His action was high and stride tremendous. At once the "shrewdies were impressed, and whilst a minute before they gave him no chance, they were now putting their heads together. But as it turned out, Holway was only so much a stylist because he was running on his own. His prancing action was very taking to the eye whem there was no one up alongside him. Nearly half an hour after Holway's trial Donaldson, appeared on the ground. It was his first appearance before a Sydney crowd, and he had a great reception, and what surmise there was when the Victorian champion threw off the long overcoat in which he walked on to the track! Clad in a light blue singlet, with a big white "A" on the breast, with very short, and almost ticht, knickers of a slightly darker blue, he put Holway's picture in the shade. The American took the eye as a fine physical specimen. Donaldson, slim and short, and built on greyhound lines, was pace itself, and as the champion sped over the specially prepared track all hopes built up for Holway one short half-hour before seemed to go clattering to the ground. _ "The Streak's" long, smoothly gliding stride, almost without effort, looked practically unbeatable.

it was just before 4 o'clock when the men again appeared on the track. Donaldson had the track nearest the Cricket Ground, and trotted up and down several, times. Both men were a trifle anxious, and no wonder. There was the chance of the one side of the; world's champion losing all, whilst the challenger, on the other hand, had everything to gain if things only went his; way. Preliminaries are all over, and at last the men approach the mark. . There is a simimer of excitement as the men _ teethe line. Holway glances over his right shoulder towards the dressing room. Donaldson is standing with his hands outstretched. As Holway glances back his gaze falls on the outstretched hand, which he takes in his own, and the handshake wishing each other luck is a long, friendly one. As the men go down on all fours, silence falls over the ground. Both "get set," and ore as steady as if they were racing for silver medals. The pistol fires, and both move as if they were fired out of it. Donaldson in three strides was slightly aheadinches only. He was running with body well forward, and gliding action. Holway was high up, and appeared to run too much in the air. The champion runner, like a well-oiled machine, with never a. flawin his work, gradually increased the advantage gained in the first few strides, and at 25 yards was half a yard to the good. Holway was straining every nerve, but the flying Australian was running as never, nofire. 0 Inch by inch, as they approached halfway the lead increased. As the Australian began to idealise that, bar accidents, the race was his. his action and pace appeared to better advantage than ever. His body straightened and his pace improved, and at 80 yards he increased his lead suddenly from 2£ yards to nearly 4 yards. Thence onwards Holway was fairly outclassed, and this in spite of the fact that the American was running well under evens. As Donaldson approached the tape the spectators rose and cheered wildly. The '•'Blue streak," "Kerang Flyer," and "Carbine of Running," as the "Victorian is in turn called, breasting the tape a winner by

about five yards. The time was announced 12sec read, and again the cheering broke forth, for Donaldson had run th ecourse faster than it had ever been done before. The record for the distance was .12£sec, registered by W. Johnson in England so far back .as 1867. The course was measured after the race and found to be 4in over the distance. Donaldson won very easily. In fact, he glanced over his shoulder three times in the last 30 yards to see where the Yankee was. It was a remarkable run for a grass track. For the first few yards the track was, if anything, very, very slightly uphill, but there is no drop at any part. Many and many a time Sydney enthusiasts have heard of Donaldson's remarkable sprinting abilities. Some of bis times, however, seemed to bo too good to be true, and many old-timers only shook their heads, and said, " I won't believe until I see for myself."' Well, they have now seen for themselves, and Donaldson might now get credit for being perhaps the best all-round sprinter the world has ever seen. The Victorian has not so far shown the pace of Arthur Postle over the very short distances, but from about 80 yards up to 600 yards it is questionable whether there is anyone in the world who can extend him. Donaldson's fame was practically restricted to middle-distance running a few years ago; but for South Africa and England, he began to open the eyes of athletic followers, and after winning a number of handicaps he was matched against Postle and Holway for the. 100 yards championship of the world. Donaldson won in 9§sec. The time was that geed that excuses were at once looked for to justify the run, and one of thcaa given out was that the rarefied air of Johannesburg, high above the sea, was responsible for the fast running. Perhaps the light air may be responsible for pretty slick going, but on Saturday's running Donaldson would not surprise many if he should repeat 6iyds " inside " on any decent track. Conditions were in his favour certainly on Saturday, but only slightly. It was only a very light breeze that assisted the runners, and it has to be remembered that. Donaldson won easily, glancing over his shoulder several times In all probability the Victorian and Arthur Postle will meet over 100 yards next month, and in view of Postle's brilliant running in Queaasland on Friday last, the race, given fair conditions, should provide one of the fastest hundreds ever run in any part of the world. Holway, who has now gone down to Donaldson some half-dozen times, admits that the Victorian is his master. He says he never before saw such pace as was ladled out by Donaldson on Saturday. The American added that he himself was never better, as the race itself goes to prove, Holway finished well inside evens, and yet looked like a novice alongside Donaldson. Holway' and Donaldson may meet in Sydney shortly for the quarter-mile championship of the world, which title is held by the first-named.

Mr E. R. Terry manager of Jack B. Donaldson, on tho subject of big sprintins : " I have been following the game for a good many years, and have Been many fine races in Africa, England, in every State of the Commonwealth, and New Zealand. I have seen some great finishes, and it would indeed be hard to "select what I consider the greatest handicap race I ever witixoottco - " But I have in my mind's eye the greatest struggle in a match race. And that was between C E. Holway and .Jack Donaldson, at Pontypridd, South Wales, just over a year ago The distance was 130 yards, and the stakes £200,. while a £2OO purse was put up by the Pontypridd Athletic Club. These Welsh people are great lovers of pedestrianism, and they turned out in thousands to see the race between their idol, Charles Holway (who had only a year previous won a big handicap off a back mark, and .had always run so well as this particular ground), and the 'Blue Streak, otherwise Jack Donaldson, of Bendigo. Victoria, who had run so fast in South Africa that the time was doubted in many, quarters of the jylobe, making everyone anxious to see this flyer. " I won the toss from. Holway s trainer for choice cif tracks, but even then I did not know which one to take, for they were both alike as far as I could see. Great excitement prevailed while the starting holes were being made, and although a huge crowd was present you could have almicst heard a pin drop. Mr Jack Hepplewaite, the stagier, called the men to the spot, and at the word 'Set' both men got in position to leap from the mark. •' Bang! went the gun, and both men rose together. For the first 30 yardis Donaldson had a slight lead of about a foot, but then, at 50. Holway drew level. On thev came, straining every muscle, nerve, and sinew to reach the tape first. Grad-villy the burly American drew away, and at 100 yards was half a yard in the lead. Then the Australian doubled himself up like a greyhound, and, running as game as a pebble, drew up to the Yankee's flank. Then ensued a terrifio go but, try as he would Donaldson just failed to reach Holway, who won by the narrow margin of about 4in. It was a great contest- and onlv tho<?e right in line with the tsne could tell that the American, had won. Even Donaldson was not certain until Mr Peadine, editor of the Manchester Snorting Chronicle, who was judge, touched Holway on the baok Then everyone know who had won, and a great cheer went up for the winner. The vanquished also received a rousing reception on returning lo the dressing room. Donaldson was lame after the race, ha vine strained his leg. I will quote what the Manchester Chronicle had to say on the race : —' As a spectacle it was a magnificent race —a great struggle, with never half a vard between the two men. and the crowd shrieked in their excitement aa the sprinters, to all appea.rance, breasted the tape practically at the same fraction of a second. But the leferee had seen Holway's chest and shoulders ;<fter the hi c t stride touch the worsted Donn.ldron's brjast caught the yet unbroken strinor. There vwi no doubt in the official's mind. TTp immodie.tclv ran towards tho ex. poctnnt Holwav. and tapped him on the shoulder in token of victory. had won by no more than four inches.' " PROFESSIONAL NOTES. Any doubts concerning the respective merits of Donaldson, of Australia, and Hoiway, of America, over sprint distances, must now be removed by the latest and history-making achievement of the Australian, who is credited with having defeated Holway by three yards in the world's record time of 12sec over the 130 yards. Nor can any excuses be offered by the American for his defeat. Holway has been running right up to the top

of his form, as his latest effort would go to prove. Donaldson is not only a better man, but something marvellous as a sprinter—probably the best the world has ever known. ' The time is a world's recSrd for either professional or amateur. The previous best wss 12£seo by W. Johnson as far back as February 9, U 67. Reggi© Walker, the Olympic Games hero, when an amateur, ran 150 yards in 12 3-sseo on January 5,1909, at Johannesburg. • A. B. Postle ran 130 yards in 12sec on Easter Monday, 1906, at Menzies (W.A.), but it was not accepted, as there was a fall of 2ft Ojin in the track. - Jack Donaldson was born at Bay wood (Vic.) on March 16, 1886. He commenced his career at Kerang when 16 years of age, winning a double—namely, a 130 yards Sheffield Handioap and 100 yards- hurdle xaoe —on his first appearance in public. He did not race again until 19 years of age, when he competed at Stawell for the Easter Gift. He was beaten in the final by • inches by W. Thompson, after having been penalised a yard for breaking over. This is the only occasion on which any man has conceded Donaldson a start, and beaten him.. He journeyed direct from Stawell to compete at the Bendigo Easter Fair, and there gave a preliminary glimpse of his running abilities by'winnng the Sheffield Handicap of 130 yards and the 220 yards event. He did not appear in publio again until November, when he competed in the £SOO Sheffield Handicap, in the Melbourne Exhibition Ground. - th, this handicap he ran second to E Chase, off 9i yards, after a great race. The following Easter he again started a* Stawell, but, running off 5A yards, was beaten in the semi-final by Chris King, the absolute winner. Donaldson again journeyed from Stawell to the Bendigo Easter Fair, where he won every event he started in—viz., i&e 150, 220, and 440 yards handicaps. He raced unsuccessfully at the Ea*r Fair in 1909, and the same month left Tor Africa, where he won 16 races in succession, in each instance conceding long starts. After he had been m South Africa 1.2 months Holway and A. B. Postle arrived from England to meet him in a match for the worlds championship over 100 yards for £2OO a side. The match took place at Johannesburg, and Donaldson won easily by 2i yards from Postle, with Hoi way a i- ud farther away third, in 9j|sec, thus establishing a world's record. Shortly afterwards he ran Postle a three-distance match—viz., 50, 65, and 75 yards. Postle won the 50 yards event by inches in sAsec. The 75 yards race was run second, and this Donaldson won by half a yard in 7 2-ssec. The 'concluding race, over 65 yards, was won by the ''Blue Streak" by 2it in 6£sec. A few months later he again, met Postle in a three-distance.' contest, this time over 50, 60, and 70 yards. Donaldson won the 50' and 70 yards sprints, and, as Pestle's leg was sore, the remaining event was not contested. In place of it, the visitor gave an exhibition sprint over 100 yards, which he covered with a big wind behind him in 9 l-ssec. From South Africa he journeyed to England, where he—was well received. Here he was matched against Holway for the world's championship over 130 yards for £IOO a side. Whilst training for the race he broke down twice, first three weeks before, and again a before the. event. Holway won the race, which was run against a strong head wind, by inches. Donaldson soon afterwards returned to South Africa to race the ex-amateur champion, R E. Walker, over 100 yards, for £IOO a-side. Jird this he won easily in 9|sec. At Kimberley he put up an exhibition run of 150 yards, and broke the world's record for the distance, registering 14 l-ssec. The previous .record had stood for 23 years. A few - days later "Jack" sailed for Australia to meet Holway. On April 12 of this year Donaldson defeated Holway at Bendigo over 100 and in May defeated Holway over M' yards, 100 yards, and 220 yards. Don-, aldson broke down before the triangular match in July last, and challenged Holway for the title of 130 yards world's championship, which by virtue of his latest sensational victory he. now holds. Charles Edward Holway, the former world's champion, was born at Attleboro, Massachusetts, U.S.A., on April 19, 1885. His first contest was in 1906. when he defeated J. Skiffington over 100 yards. Early in 1907 he beat H. Titmums over the same distance, following this up with- a victory over D. Sallenger. His next contest was against H Tipple over 220 yards, and again Holway proved victorious. E. Flynn was his next opponent, and conceding him a yard in 100 yards, "The Bullet" displayed his superiority by achieving another victory. Holway's following appearance resulted in his defeat, the only time in America that he was defeated in a match. T. Keane was his opponent, and Holway, who was giving him a start of one yard in 120 yards, was penalised for breaking over, and Keane N won easily. The race was. run on a bitterly cold day, and this greatly hampered the ex-champion's° pace. Most of the professional footraces in America are match races, but several handicaps are also run, and in a number of these in 1907 Holway proved the winner. In May, 1903, he defeated M. M'Nertiney easily in a match over 100 yards. In a similar distance race with T. M'Geough he conceded him one yard start and beat him. He again proved victorious in matches against W. Norris and H Hough, first-class performers. His next contest resulted in his winning the championship of America. Fred. Metz Was his opponent, and th© distance 100 yards, but the all-conquering Holway disElayed his prowess by winning comfortably, hortly afterwards he successfully defended his title against J. Flemming. All Holway's matches in America were for large side wagers. Having practically defeated everyone in the United States with any pretensions to the championship, Holway decided to visit England, and arrived there on January 26. 1909. His first race in the' United Kingdom was in a £IOO handicap, but, starting off two yards, he was defeated. He then visited Wales, where, starting from scratch, he won nine handicaps over distances ranging from 120 yards to 300 yards. On© of these contests was the £144 Pontyfrydd Handicap of 130 yards. In this Holway started off 2£ yards, and ran 127 s yards equal to 5£ yards inside even time. This is Holway's best performance. He was then matched against A. B. Postle, of Queensland, for £IOO a side, and th© championship of the world over 120 yards. The race took place 'at Wigan (England) on October 23, 1909, and was run through "mud and puddles of water," as Holway describes it. Holway beat Postle by inches in ll|sec —very fast time considering the track.

After this match he journeyed to Johannesburg to meet J. Donaldson. This contest was made a triangular one by Postle •lso taking part. As is well known,

Donaldson won this race, with Postle second and Holway third. Holway, however, owing to continuous training for seven weeks, went stale, and was not seen at his best. He then returned to England, where his victor had promised him a match over 130 yards. Before this contest he met B. R'. Day, the English champion, over 220 yards, defeating him by about four yards. Then followed Jus championship race with Donaldson at Pontyfrydd, Wales, for £IOO a-sid© over 130 j'ards. This he won by six inches in 13isec Five weeks later he decided io tour Australia and New Zealand. Won New Zealand championship at rimaru, N.Z., 100 yards (lOsec), and 220 yards (in 22 4-ssec),' and 150 yards handicap from scratch (14 3-ssec, New Zealand record). February 4: Won 130 .yards handicap. Dunedin, N.Z., from scratch (12 2-sscc), and defeated W. F. Trembath, 300 yards, 31 3-ssec. February 11: Defeated J. Shivas at Grey mouth, N.Z., 75 yards and 130 yards, conceding. two yards and nve yards respectively. April 12: Defeated by Jack Donaldson, 100 yards, at Bendigo Victoria, Australia. May 11: Defeated at 75 yards, 100 yards, and 220 yards, by Jack Donaldson at Melbourne, Australia. July 8: Defeated A. B. Postle and A. A. Taylor, 130 yards, at Sydney. Time. 3-10seo (heavy track). August 22: JJefeated W. F. Trembath for 440 yards world's championship, Sydney. Time, oU 4-ss©c (heavy track). v *