ATHLETICS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVII, Issue 1001, 13 May 1909, Page 13

ATHLETICS.

WARNING TO MARATHONERS. WOULD-BE LONGBOATS CAUTIONED. In view of the tremendous interest which has lately been taken in longdistance running, and the entries of unknown men that have been accepted by the promoters of Marathon races, a note of warning is sounded to ambitious young athletes by Hjertberg, the famous runner and trainer. The mere fact of these unknown men entering for a long-distance race is generally accepted as prima facie evidence that they were competent to run the distance, and so long as no physical examination is insisted upon prior to the running of the race they have been permitted to start with the payment of their entrance fee. That some of these runners have been quite unqualified to run has been demonstrated on more than one occasion, and to would-be athletes of this type trainers address them in a cautionary manner. “ No young man,” says Ernie Hjertberg, who has been training runners these many years, and whose knowledge of long distance running is well known, “who has not been under instruction of a competent trainer or who has not passed a medical examination and been given a clean bill of health should think of trying to compete in a Marathon run. “ The great trouble is that when a young fellow gets in a Marathon run his pride is likely to run away with his good sense. If there happens to be a field as large as 50 or more and he is able to keep up with the general bunch for a few miles, and if there happens to be a crowd on the course, as there usually is, the novice, instead of stopping when he feels exhausted, will stay on because too shame-faced to quit in front of the spectators and hoping that he will catch his second wind. “ That ‘ second wind’ argument is one of the most foolish that can be advanced for long distance running. We hear a great deal about it, but the fact of the matter is there is very little to it. Old runners who have been on the track for a long time and who know how to handle themselves, save up a bit when they feel the first indications of weariness, knowing tftat a little rest just then will probably help to replenish their reserve power later. The novice runs himself into the ground, with no reserve power on which to draw, and then imagines that he is likely to catch his ‘second wind.’ “ Sound lungs, a normal heart, sound kidneys and hardened muscles are worth a great deal more than a ton of grit. The latter quality is essential, but it is likely to run a man into a hospital if the other essentials are lacking.” Dorando and Hayes met for the third time in a Marathon race in New York in March. The Italian took the lead early and eventually won easily in 2hr. 43min. Bsec.