ATHLETICS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVIII, Issue 1053, 12 May 1910, Page 13

ATHLETICS.

THE CHAMPIONSHIP SPRINT.

In the recent professional sprint race of 100 yards, writes the Johannesburg correspondent of the London “Sportsman,” I understand Holway was affected a good deal by Johannesburg’s altitude, and did no: do himself justice. It is thought he would give a very different account of himself in a race at the coast or at sea level. It is. perhaps doubtful if the official authorities governing the times of races for the recognition of athletic clubs throughout the world will accept Donaldson’s time of 9 % sec. One of the best known authorities on athletic matters in South Africa informed me that he thought 9% sec or 9 4-ssec, would be found to be nearer the mark. The race itself was an epoch-making one, and there is a universal opinion on this side that Donaldson is a great sprinter, without a superior, if an equal, in the world, but there is little doubt that the officials at the finishing end of the race were taken off their guard by the firing of the starting pistol just a fraction of a

aldson has a superior on the path he must be a marvellously fast man indeed. At latest advice C. E. Holway (U.S.A.), and B. R. Day (Ireland) were matched to run 220 yards in England for £5 0 aside. * * * * At the Agricultural Hall, London, on March 19, in the presence of about 5,0 00 persons, L. Bouchard (France) won a professional Marathon (indoors) race of 26 miles 385 yards in 2hr--3 6min. 18sec., thereby winning a championship challenge belt and £lOO. A. Aldridge (England) was second, about one and a-half. miles behind the winner, W. Swan (Wales) third, and J. Fegan (Ireland) fourth. C. W. Gardiner (England), T. Heddow (Scotland), and J. Lynch (Ireland) also ran, but did not finish. The pace w.as fafet throughput- Haddow led at a mile (ten laps of the track) in 4min. 7sec. Bouchard was in front at 15 miles in Ihr. 23min. 36 3-ssec., and was not afterwards headed. He covered 20 miles in lhr. 5 4min. 13sec., and 25 miles in 2hr. 28min. 17 2-ssec. The winner is 26 years of age- Until three years ago he was an amateur, and won international and national

French races, and sec up several records. He is the recognised professional champion of France. Lis time of 2hr. 3 6min. 18sec. is a record. Writing on March 22, the New York correspondent of the London “Spor.sman” says: “Our Canadian ata etic friends made a neat cleaning up during the New York Athletic CluL s annual indoor meeting at MadisonSquare Garden last week, and did quite a good deal more than pay their expenses when Jack Tait, of Toronto, rather easily defeated George V. Bonhag, Irish-American A.C.', in a special race of one mile and a-half. The Canadian ran the distance in 6min. 52sec., and experts agree that it was the best performance seen here since the palmiest days of the little Irish marvel, Tommy Conneff. In ihe race last week Tait, running easily, was leading at the mile, his time being 4min. 42 sec. On September 2, 18 J 5, when Conneff ran a mile and a-half outdoors in 6min. 4 6 2-ssec, he reeled off the mile in 4min. 2 9 sec., and it is believed if he had been extended he could have done better, but then again in the match Tait was running his own race, and when he finished 20 yards ahead of Bonhag he was by no means “pumped.” I am glad to say that there is not the slightest question about the measurement of the track, an important note where our records are considered.”