A MODERN ATALANTA.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVI, Issue 941, 19 March 1908, Page 9

A MODERN ATALANTA.

Madame Isa Bell, who recently issued a challenge to race any woman in Australia any stipulated distance for the gate money and a side stake, up to a reasonable sum, has received replies from female athletes, who are prepared to dispute the woman championship of Australia. Three of these reside in various parts of the State, and the other two are city bred. A match is being arranged between Madame Bell and Miss Violet Leigh, the woman champion of South Australia, to take place in Melbourne some time next month. Madame Bell is 36 years of age, and has a daughter aged 14. Her running costume consists of loose trunks reaching below the knee, loose jacket, running shoes, and stockings.

When one finds thirty-two men running ten miles under an hour in one club race, there can be no fear of England’s decadence at long-distance running. That was the performance accomplished on the Belle Vue track, Manchester, on Saturday, January 18th, in the Salford Harriers' ten miles championship. The first four men were covered by 49 seconds. W. H. Whittingslow repeated his victory of 1907. His time was 56 min lOsec. * * Mr. R. Coombes has been re-elected president of the Amateur Athletic Union of Australasia, and Mr. S. E. Marks hon. secretary, while Mr. Stan. Rowley was chosen as treasurer. Sydney has again been made the headquarters of the union.