Athletes in Action

ST ARTIXG-SG~L\1.\RY SPRINTERS, quarter- and half-milers and hurdlers cannot pay too much attention to acquiring proficiency in the art of Starting. The short distance runner and the hurdler will find that inches gained at the commencement of a race may be worth a yard or more \vhen the winning post is reached, while quarter- and half-milers will find a fast start an invaluable asset in the first fight for position at the beginning of a race. Particular attention should be paid to the digging and placing of the holes. \Vhc.n they are made they should be tested, both in the cc On the l\1ark " and the " Get Sct " positions, so that one may be perfectly certain of securing a comfortable and compact position in \vhich to await the Starter's order to "Get Set," first, and, secondly, the crack of his pistol. Care must be taken that the holes arc so arranged that no part of the body is cramped or ill-balanced. \Vhen the order to cc Get Set " is given the \\'eight of the body should be moved slowly forward on to the front foot and the finger tripod;, before the back knee is lifted from the track. The eyes should be fixed upon a marked spot where .the rear foot will fall in its first stride forward. Take care, however, that vou do not come out of the holes \vith the chin tucked into the che:st. Keep the eyes. fixed ahead on the track and come out of the holes at a gradually rising angle, until you attain the true sprinter's forward lean about 30 yards from the start. High hurdlers, of course, must reach the sprinting angle earlier. \.0