ATHLETICS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVI, Issue 957, 9 July 1908, Page 12

ATHLETICS.

A. B. Postle, the Australian professional champion, has gone to England where he has been matched to run W. Growcott of Bunbury for a side wager of £2OO. The race will take place on July 25. If Postle can reproduce his Australian form he should win, but Growcott is fast as he recently gave Day a yard and a beating in a 120 yards match.

Postle also agreed to run B. R. Day a quarter of a mile race for £4OO. This will take place on August 15. * * • •

The N.Z. hurdle racer Murray ran creditably at the English championships, as he won his heat, but could only get third in the final.

Walker H. A. Kerr, from whom much was expected, is reported to have finished out of a place in the two miles event.

The Olympic Games commence on the Stadium track on Monday next, so that we shall soon learn how our representatives have acquitted themselves.

NEW CLUB SWINGING RECORD.

BURKE LASTS 65 HOURS 14 MINUTES.

A new record in continuous clubswinging was established by “ Mick ” Burke, at the Waxworks, Bourke Street (says the Sydney “ Referee ”). The previous record, held by “ Tom ” Burrows, was 65 hours 10 minutes. Burke commenced his task at 6 o’clock on Thursday morning, June 26, and swung his clubs without intermission until 14 minutes past 11 on Saturday night. This was not accomplished without difficulty and distress. On Friday Burke’s wrists were swollen and inflamed, and durall Friday night his trainers fomented them with hot water. On Saturday Burke complained several times of faintness and exhaustion, but stuck gamely to his task. During the last hour or so he showed unmistakable signs of distfess, and at times was near to breaking down. Encouraged by his trainers, however, he persevered, and was successful in maintaining his performance for the time allotted to him. At twenty minutes past 11 he received the signal to stop, and, fairly exhausted, he fell back into the arms of two attendants standing beside him. Burrows, who will probably attack the new record, expresses himself as confident that he can better, it.

The big club-swinging match between Burrows and Grifliths for £175 was to have commenced at the Tivoli Theatre, Adelaide, on Monday last.