BROKE DEERFOOT’S RUNNING RECORD.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XIX, Issue XVI, 9 October 1897, Page 507

BROKE DEERFOOT’S RUNNING RECORD.

A recent issue of the London Sporting Life contained an interesting account of F. E. Bacon’* successful attempt to break the hour record which Deerfoot, the American Indian, made in 1863. For almost 35 years the record of 11 miles 970 yards has withstood the attempts of prominent athletes to break it. Deerfoot, whose real name was Bennett, was a half-breed, and was born near Niagara Falls in 1826. George Martin, a famous manager of pedestrians, discovered the Indian while on a trip to this country. Martin persuaded Deerfoot to return with him to England. He at once assumed the leadership among the professional runners in England and his exhibitions proved a drawing card that made a lot of money for Martin. The Indian always appeared in native lack of costume, his equipment in this respect consisting of a coloured clout, a pair of running pumps, a necklace and a feather. W. G. George, when an amateur, made a grand attempt to lower Deerfoot’s record in 1884. He was then considered the fastest ten-mile runner living, and a special twelve - mile handicap was arranged to give him a chance of surpassing the record figures. George just missed the record, completing 11 miles and 932 yards in the hour. Bacon has long been anxious to break the record, and his recent victory over Crossland at ten miles convinced him that he was in condition for a trial.

Bacon turned professional last year and was tempted therefore by a liberal cash offer by a sporting paper to essay to beat Deerfoot’s time. He was paced by three runner* and a bicyclist. The attendance reached 20,000, the largest number ever gathered at an English pedestrian event, in spite of a drizzling rain. As it became evident that Bacon would be successful in his attempt, the spectators grew intensely excited, and when the crack of the pistol sounded the lapse of the hour the crowd surged on the field and gave vent to a hearty demonstration of appreciation of one of the greatest events of modern athletics. Bacon was thoroughly exhausted at the finish, but soon revived and walked to his dressing-room with the crowds hanging to him in hundreds. Bacon succeeded in covering 11 miles 1243 yards in the hour. With a percentage of the gate receipts Bacon netted £5OO for his performance, in notable contrast to the £5 that Deerfoot is said to have received as his prize in 1863.