ATHLETICS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume I, Issue 23, 3 January 1891, Page 2

ATHLETICS.

Long-distance walks have never been popular with amateurs, although at times there has been a desire to see if old records can be upset. The record for amateurs from 21 miles to 30 miles has remained upset for the last ten years. On October 25 the Tuffnell Park Athletic Club offered handsome prizes and medals for a thirtymile race and sealed handicap combined, together with an extra gold medal for anyone beating the record, viz., 4h." 26min. 52secs., made by W. E. N. Costen at Stamford Bridge on December 27th, 1880, and silver medals to all who completed the distance within sh. The weather was simply atrocious, as it was as cold as mid-winter, and it rained incessantly until within half-an-hour of the finish. Seventeen started for the event, H. Curtis, Highgate Harriers, the champion, and his old opponent W. Wheeler, Southampton Amateur Club, being among the contestants. The race was looked upon as a moral for one of these. The race resulted in an easy win for Curtis, who won with more than a mile in hand in 4h. 57min. s lusecs., which is a splendid performance, considering that most of the distance the men were walking through pools of water and were covered with mud and slush. H. G. Holland, Queen’s Park Harriers, and Wheeler being the next two, who took it leisurely when they saw their chance hopeless. According to the Refeiee there will be a strong team of amateurs coming over here for the Amateur Champion meeting.

Mr. J. O. Evitt was called upon to serve on the jury at the Supreme Court the other day in Napier but his solicitor appeared and. asked that he might be excused as he was handicapper for several Racing Clubs and had been called to Auckland on important business. His Honor, the Chief Justice, considered Mr. Evitt’s ground for absenting himself satisfactorily explained. Who would not be a handicapper. — Weekly Press.