Athletics

CROSS-COUNTRY RUNNING. ur The distanceof the run is to be about seven miles. The pack, keeping together, cometo a water jump—after going about three miles,when several stop, take a sharp run, and land on the other side. Good practice, but when hard pressed ina race it would not be advisable to try, the best plan being to jump in near the further side, landing with the hands on the bank, as the feet touch the bottom, and quickly climbout Jumping a big ditch is hazardous in a race, for what seems a good take off may yield directly the foot touches it. The man racing has no time to pick a good spot to land him safely, thus running agood chance of coming to grief. Of course there are jumps that any one could negotiate, andallowance mustbe made forthe higher capabilities of some runners. To a poorjumper I say, jump in, and getout as quick as possible. There aremany men to whom a big effort at jumping means a lot taken out of them forthe remainder of the race. We next come to a heavy ploughed field, so again I have an opportunity to give a few hints to our novice. Now, if anything is a test of endurance, it is a heavy plough. Generally anovice starts too fast across the first part, finding out his mistake when a trying feeling of ex­ haustion seizes him. A first-class man cares very little what sort of ground he is travelling over, for his well-tried muscles and fine condition standhim in good stead; but to a novice I say,husband your strength during the first part of the ordeal. Crossing a plough, the body should be inclined slightlyforward, which gives more power to lift the feet from the heavygoing. The last mile of our spin we freshen up; but no racing is indulged in, as the run isonly for practice. After a luke­ warm bath, whichmakes the runners feel much lighter—for it is a wet, muddy day—grooming is again resorted to, and