Athletics

114 ATHLETICS. any way, or the wholeaffair will be upset. At zero, i.e. 6c mins., the even hour, the scratch manis started, andfrom this all times are reckoned. It does not matter in the slightest whator how many absentees there are. If nominal scratch had3 mins. 20 sees, start, he would go at 56 rains. 40 sees., and the handicap time would, all the same be reckoned fromzero. Reckoned thus (the only correct way), the handicap time shows exactly whatthe real scratch man would have to do to win or beat any particular man. With a chronograph (as illustrated on p. 44), with independent spider hand and minute recorder, the men had better be started by the small running seconds hand (an operation requiring more care), and the independent recorders will be "struck " with the actual scratch man's "go " {i.e. zero). Should a man be penalized behind scratch too late toput all the men back, then he must be sent away his penalty after zero. Thus Jones (scratch) might have won a race a couple of days before, and been put back 10 sees, by the handicapper, after the starter has made out his starting sheet. He will not, therefore, be started till o mins. 10 sees., and 10 sees, must be deducted from his handicap time, butall others reckoned asusual from zero. The course ought to be arranged so that the men have a good run in and arevisible for some distance. The time- taker will have his note-book ready,and should be assisted by some one to call out the men's namesas they approach, as he will be fully occupied jotting downthe actual times of arrival andthe names, orsufficient thereof to identify them. As soon as all the men are in,he will retire into the head­ quarters and make out a sheet return asfollows, for the use of the secretary) handicapper, and press. By using some manifold carbonsheets histrouble willbe greatly lessened.