Athletics of To-Day 1929

Cross-Country Running 17 5 r890, in which year W. D. Day, New Jersey A.C., took the Senior A.A.U. individual title, and the Prospect Harriers, of Brooklyn, the team honours. The Inter- ollegiate ross-Country Association of America looked after the sport at the Universities and Colleges from r899 to 1907, but from 1908 the Cross-Country hampionships have come under the control of the Inter- ollegiate A.A.A.A. In the first period the races were run at an approximate distance of 6! miles, but since the I.C.A.A.A.A. took over, the distance has been reduced by half a mile. J. F. Cregan won the first Inter-Collegiate contest, and Cornell took the team champion– ship. There is an Inter-Scholastic Championship for High Schools at 3 miles, which corresponds to the English Public Schools Cross- ountry run of 5 miles for the Ranelagh Cup. For many years after the foundation of the Public Schools Track and Field hampionships by the L.A.C., the need of a corresponding cross-country event was often discussed, but nothing was done until the autumn of 1926, when a few mem– bers of the Ranelagh Harriers put a suggestion before the Committee. As the outcome of this the famous club, founded in r88r, issued invitations to the Public chools to take part in a race over five miles of country from the Green Man Inn at Putney. A fair number of schools accepted, and on April r6th, 1927, the first race was won by Lancing, r6 points, from trand, 30 point , t. Dunstan's, 6r, and Ardingley, 65 points. Lancing had the first two men home in R. E. Cowburn, 28 mins. 3t secs., who was second in the Oxford and ambridge race, 1928, and A. . Bookless, 28 mins. 14 secs. In 1928, Lancing retained the challenge cup with I3 points from Taunton, 58 points, and Bedford Modern School, 62 points. Lancing again plac d the first two men, ookless winning in 29 mins. 14 secs., from J. Robins, 29 mins. 31 secs. The race is op n to teams of six runners, of whom four score, and to individual entries from Public Schools.