Bredin on Running & Training

THE GOVERNING BODY. betting, but the bookmakers are all " little men " of small repute, and perhaps my experience on this occa– sion may be taken as a fair estimate of the amount of money to be won at most athletic meetings. An exception, without doubt, must be made at the Blackley sports, when, some years ago, the celebrated "Booth Hall Plate" was a medium of heavy specula– tion, and the odds used to be quoted in some of the Manchester papers a few days before the race. This the A. A . A . put a stop to, in a great extent, by dis– allowing the term "Booth Hall" in connection with this short distance handicap ; but the old associations cling, and even now several hundreds of pounds can be obtained by the successful runner through gambling. During the decision of the Southern Cross-country Championship at Wembley Park a few years ago, I noticed two evil-looking reprobates who were strenu– ously endeavouring to induce the public to entrust them with coin of the realm, by yelling out long odds against the favourite-Watkins, I believe. A little later in the afternoon I entered the same compartment in which they happened to be travelling, on my journey back to town. Shortly after the train started, one of these men brought from his pocket a dirty pack of cards, and, spreading a dilapidated overcoat across his knees, announced his intention of showing the company a novel game. As may be readily surmised, this proved to be the dear old three-card trick. After a preliminary round or two, we were all invited to try and spot the "Jack," "just for fun." Nobody making a move, the manipulator then offered to bet half a dollar that none of hi s fellow-passengers could guess