Athletics and Football (extract)

A MODERN CHAMPIONSHIP MEETING 63 the leader, and nothing but pluck and condition broughtWood in two yards in front of Smith, a yard behind whom was Robinson, the winner's time being 49I sec.—a great time, for there are but few men like Myers,and no one until he showed the way ever got within 50 seconds. Here, as is always the case, the fast time was due to the pace-maker,as, besides the first three, Jones and Lock finished within the standard of 52 sec. ; and five men in one race finishing within 52 sec. is almosta phenomenon. The quarter beingover, the mile,which is usuallyconsidered the race of the day, succeeded. For this there are eight entries, ofwhomsevenare going to the post, and certainlythey are a good representativelot. T. R. Bryden,of the ClaphamRovers F.C., waslooked upon early in the season as a probable championas soon as last year's champion. Snook, of Shrewsbury,wasadjudged by the Amateur Athletic Association to have forfeited his claim to rank as an amateur. Then there is F. J. Cross, the Inter- 'Varsity runner, who in the spring showed himself good for 4 min. 27 sec. on any day. Haines, of Faringdon, is also having another try for a championship at another distance, and there is the dark horse from the West Country, T. B. Nalder, of Bristol; it is rumoured, indeed, that a good many West countrymen have come up to put their money upon him. Besides these, Mabey, of the South London Harriers, has shown some good form of late, and Hill and Leaver, of the same club, are also starters. The race itself,however, is hardly in doubt from the start. Nalder gets off brisklywith a lead, and is followed by Haines, Cross, and Bryden. The West countryman is a small thick-set man, with a fine free action and a good workmanlike style, running without effort, and with a long springystride. For half a mile the positions are unaltered, but in the third lap Cross, who looks a bit heavier and rather less fit than he was at Lillie Bridge in the spring, takes the lead and keeps it until three laps have been com­ pleted. Beginning the last lap Nalder spurts to the front again in easyfashion, evidently having the race at his mercy;