Athletics of To-Day 1929

8o Athletics of To-day permission to run against Cummings. In the second place, so wholeheartedly had he followed the pursuit of athletic honours that he had failed to complete his career as a student of chemis– try and was in serious financial straits. His debts amounted to over fr,ooo and his creditors were becoming importunate. George's difficulties and his desire to test himself against Cummings led to the arranging of a one mile match at Lillie Bridge in r885. Arrangements were made for the accommoda– tion of ro,ooo spectators, but 30,000 people turned up to see the race and stormed the gates. George was forced to reach his dressing room at the top of the old grand stand by means of a ladder from an adjoining coal yard. Cummings, who then held the world's mile record of 4 mins. r6i secs., let George take the lead at the beginning of the race, but no sooner was the ex-amateur ahead than he felt something strike his heel as his foot came up behind. He was convinced that his opponent was trying to spike him and at once piled on the pace. This did not alter the position, and every fifty yards or so he felt that terrifying tap-tap on his heels. He knew that a spiking or a wrenched-off shoe would mean defeat, and he has himself said that he was urged on by the thought of the action his creditors would take should he lose that race. With r,ooo yards covered, Cummings, running beautifully, drew level with his man. The sight of his opponent caused George to throw discretion to the winds. At the three-quarter mile mark he had established a lead, and a furlong from home a great shout from the spectators told him that something had happened. Suddenly he realised that Cummings was beaten, and, himself utterly exhausted, George almost stopped. Cummings, seeing this, started running again, but so did George, passing the tape an easy winner in 4 mins. zoi secs. His first three lap times on that occasion were slightly faster than when he broke record in r886, but the stop in the fourth lap spoiled the total time. George saw Cummings after the race and warned him not to repeat his spiking tactics, whereupon his canny opponent grinned broadly.