Athletics (British Sports Library)

ONE MILE AND OVER ll5 who allows himself to be surprised or "jumped," to use a track term, will have to make an enormous effort to respond, and will probably fail to do so if his opponent "jumps" him anywhere in the final stretch. Never pass an opponent going round a bend. At the mile distance, and all distances beyond it, the runner must score off the laps for himself or get a friend to shout them to him as he passes. In the O:lS:ford and Cambridge Sports of 1924, R. S. Starr, the Cambridge crack, was misinformed by an over-zealous official that he was completing the last lap, whereas he had in reality yet another lap to go. Starr produced his sprint nearly 600 yards from home, and in consequence was unable to complete the course. What has been said regarding the Mile stands good for any greater distance the schoolboy, collegiate, or university runner may be asked to attempt. The only difference in the preparation will be that he must accustom himself to traversing the greater journey, and he must try also to keep a sprint in reserve. With certain modifications as to distance the half-miler's training schedule should serve the greater distance man's needs. In conclusion a word or two must be said about striding. This question is generally settled by the body build of the athlete himself. As a rule, small,