Athletics of To-Day 1929

The Long Distances 127 His athletic history is in some respects similar to that of A. F. H . Newton, whose deeds will be dealt with later, for neither of them turned his attention to athletic competition until over thirty years of age, and both performed great feats on the Bath Road. Foster first gained fame by running so miles on the Bath Road in 7 hours, his first IO miles being covered in under the hour. Then followed a period of exhibition running on the Continent. At thirty-nine years of age, with the inducement of a heavy wager, he made the journey from London to York and back on foot, covering a distance of 402 miles in 5 days I8 hours, thus winning his wager by a margin of 6 hours. At forty-three years of age he went from London to Canterbury and back (II2 miles) in under 24 hours. At fifty-seven years of age he again attempted the London to York and back in 6 days and won his wager ; on the eve of his sixtieth birthday he amazed all the world by again undertaking the gr at journey on foot, and, what is more, he beat his own previous best efforts by doing the 402 mil sin 5 days IS hours. The strain imposed upon a man of Foster ow ll's age was tremendous, and hortly afterwards he died. Th reader may note that the remains of this great ped strian are buried in the east corner of St. Paul's churchyard. In later times long distance running seems to have enjoyed great popularity during the early ighties of the last century, when indo r, as w ll as road, races and xhibitions of running appear to have found favour. At the old Agricultural Hall, Islington, L ndon, W. avis stablished records from SI miles in 6 hours 57 mins. so secs., to I miles in I2 hour , and at the same p riod J. andcrs was achieving lasting fame in Am rica. In ew ork on ebruary 22nd, I882, these men cover d 95 miles in I6 hours 27 mins. 20 secs., IOO miles in I7 hours 36 mins. I4 secs., and I20 miles in 22 hours 47 mins. 23 secs., a truly amazing feat of endurance and sustained sped. The year I884 found three great distance men at work in England. On November 29th A. W. Sinclair, at the Aquarium,