Bredin on Running & Training

MY CAREER AS AN ATHLETE. 159 winner, S. Thomas and H. A. Munro, of the L.A. C., and C. Bennett (then entered as Portsmouth Harriers), who had not yet quite developed into a first class long– distance runner. Eleven men elected to start, and Watkins soon settled down at the head of affairs, with Thomas and Bacon in close attendance. At the conclusion of one mile in 4 mins. 44! sees. Bacon led for nearly half a lap, but soon dropped back, and the third mile was completed with Watkins still in front, in 14 min. 52 sees. Munro had by this time joined the leaders, and acted as whipper-in to Watkins, Bacon, and Thomas, a few yards covering the four men. Going up the back straight Bacon suddenly spurted, took the lead and kept it for a short distance, and then stepped on to the grass on the inside of the track, evidently being played out, much to the general surprise of the spectators. From this point Munro, going in front, began gradually to draw away from his field, and by the time the bell was rung to denote the beginning of the final lap the race had developed into a procession, Munro ultimately winning by nearly eighty yards from Pearce, who had passed Thomas in the straight for home, beating him ten yards for second place. Munro's time was 19 mins. 49~ sees., a few fifths slower than that accomplished by Bacon in the previous year's championship at Huddersfield; but on the latter occasion there was a strong wind blowing. So ended the Amateur Athletic Association's cham– pionships of '95, and with them my best performances when fit at amateur sports. About that time the London Athletic Club was in communication with the