Impressions of Northern Athletes and Athletics

variety, enter the other after events such as running, leaping, and weight-throwing. After the light hammer should come the heavy and light balls, arranged in that order. These items may be contested consecutively, there being no need for rests, which could only stiffen the athletes. Thereafter the weight-throwing ought to be contested; for although it demands strength, it does not fatigue the athlete, as he takes but three trials. Moreover, it is impossible to throw the weight with much effect if preceded by the jumping contests. Incidentally, a 28 lb. [12.70kg] weight affords a far better exhibition than does a 56 lb. [25.40kg] block. Order of the Light Events The 100 yards [91.44m] sprint might be brought off at once, should none of the competitors have already competed in the preceding items. Presuming that some of them had done so, they should be allowed some time in which to recuperate. Despite the fact that the long leap and hop-step-and-leap contests are usually well down in the programme, I would have them contested, in the sais order, after the sprint; because they consist only of three trials, but nevertheless demand much energy, which would be partially expended in the other jumping events. As both heavy and light-weight athletes almost invariably compete in these feats a feat must be taken which would not exhaust their strength very much. A good event would be high- leap, because for the first ten minutes or so the lath is usually at an easy height, the race not more than a few yards, the exertion not great, and the athlete can sit down and rest until his turn comes. After this event place the pole vault, because some time generally elapses before everything is procured and the stands set up in a proper position; and also because each trial takes more time than in the case of high leap, although the race is considerably longer and harder. After the vaulting contest a few minutes’ relaxation might be given, and followed by the hurdle race, which does not call so much for physical exertion and speed as for artistic and calculated execution. Some heavy-eights might indulge in short races, but very seldom in the quarter. Neither are quarter-milers adept caber tossers; so that the quarter-mile race could now be contested, and followed by the typically Scottish feat of caber-tossing. During the time in which the latter feat is contested, the runners have rested and prepared themselves for the obstacle race, which could now be contested. The costume race might then be brought off, and, as it is seldom of long duration, the 880 yards [804.67m] race might follow. Thereafter wrestling, preferably catch-as-catch-can might be commenced, the half-miler is very seldom, if ever, a wrestler of heavy weight. As several, catch-can wrestlers usually occupy some time, the runners would have ample time to prepare for the half-mile walk, and, as the same would not tire them very much, the mile race could be brought off simultaneously with the wrestling. As for the sack race, the name is evidently of little importance, and I suppose the less energy possessed by the occupants, the better – for the spectators’ lungs. It will now be seen that the following arrangement of the athletic items, although perhaps susceptible of modification, cannot be much improved:- 1. 22 lb. [9.98 kg] hammer. 2. 16 lb. [7.26 kg] hammer. 3. 12 lb. [5.44 kg] ball. 4. 16 lb. [7.26 kg] ball. 5. 28 lb. [12.70 kg] weight. 6. 100 yards [91.44m] race.