Athletics

HURDLE RACING. 59 which would be spoiled by driving in the hurdle posts— must be selected, not less than 140 yards in length. The markings will be as follows (see also Plan A of field), absolute accuracybeing essential:— I 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 q i o Scratch. Finish. Scale, 1 inch to 40 yards. From scratch there is a run of 15 yards to the first hurdle, then 10 yards between each flight, with 15 yards run in to the tape. Anything will not do for hurdles; they must be specially made. The best length is between 4 and 5 ft., and the lower cross pieces ought to be stronger than the upper; the tops must be perfectly level,without anyknobs or ends sticking up. This isbest secured by nailing aslat on the top; but each hurdle must be independent of the others, not joined together, and all must be uniform in appearance. There is nothing more baulking to a man than to be suddenly confrontedby a hurdle different from those he has already cleared. If the hurdles are painted white, thedividing posts may be red, so that eachman can see his own "line," or black hurdles with white top rails and posts lookwell (see page 62). In handicaps the worst man is generally onthe scratch mark (occasionally somehandicappers allow him up to five yards, inwhich case he starts inadvance ofthe scratch line, and therefore has less than the 15 yards to run to the first flight; this is not advisable, however, unless the exigencies of the grounddemand it, owing to the shortness of the run). Men are nearly always penalized, accordingto their ability, so many yards behind scratch, sothat a man "owing," or " penalized," 10 yards, would have to run 130 yards, i.e. 25