Athletics (British Sports Library)

ONE MILE AND OVER 109 training, and as far as possible in competition, to a time schedule that the runner can hope to get the very best out of himself. The importance of timing and also of tactics may be yet further emphasized by some description of Hill's · record– breaking Championship race in 1921, and Nunni's still greater effort in 1923. A. G. Hill was up against a great miler in H. B. Stallard and a great pace-maker in Stallard's fellow Cantab, W. R. Seagrove.. At the English Championships Hill drew second position from the inside, with Stallard one place away from him and Seagrove right out on the flank. At the crack of the pistol Hill went straight into the lead, closely followed by Stallard, with Seagrove coming over at tremendous speed to set ~he pace for his fellow Blue. Seagrove ful– filled his task admirably until half a mile had been covered in 2 minutes 4 seconds. Hill had run his initial quarter mile in 59f seconds, which was faster than the schedule S. A. Mussabini, his trainer, had planned for him, but the Light Blues had challenged several times, and Hill had not thought it wise to let them have the lead. During the third quarter mile there came that inevitable lull which has characterized almost every great record-breaking race, but when the bell was rung for the last lap Hill produced an electrifying burst of speed. Stallard still stuck to his man like grim death, and challenged