AMERICA’S HOPE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 146, 23 June 1931, Page 4

AMERICA’S HOPE

LONG-STRIDING RUNNER. REM AR K ABLE EN D U RANCE. Ben Eastman has one of the longest strides known in middle-distance running. Ho covers 7ft. Bin. of track with each “kick,” and needs only 172 of them to churn out a quarter mile. His long-legs make approximately twice that many “revolutions” in travelling a half-mile. These figures are the result of a recent analysis of Eastman's style, made by Dink Templeton, coach of tho lanky Standford sophomore, who may some day help himself to world’s records in both the 440 and 880yds. th ns. According to Templeton’s findings, Eastman tears along tho “440” and “880” routes with a stride that rivals in length thoso used by such top-notch sprinters as Hec. IDyer and Cy Leland, both of whom employ strides that, measure about Bft. While it has the appearance of being longer, Eastman's stride is uot so great as that which carried his {Stanford predecessor, Bud Spencer, into the world’s 400-metro record. Spencer, whose high knee action was unusual, claims his stride measured nine feet. Long striding, however, is not the greatest of Eastman’s assets. His body lean has been pronounced as per feet, and his endurance stood up under a remarkable test in the “Big Meet” when Ben ran and won tho “44-0, ” “880,” and relay in a single afternoon. In general appearance and running style the blond and begoggled Eastman is not unlike the German doctor, Otto Peltzer, who holds the record Eastman is shooting at. Peltzer’s mark for the half mile run is Imin. 51 3-sscc. Eastman has done Imin. 53sec. in competition.