Impressions of Northern Athletes and Athletics

PART II THE WORLD’S RECORD THAT NEVER WAS AT THE BOWER ATHLETIC SPORTS 1 DOWER HIGHLAND GAMES. FIRST ATHLETIC MEETING OF THE CAITHNESS SEASON (by X.Y.Z) John O’Groat Journal, Friday 16 August 1912. The modest parish of Bower opened the Caithness athletic sports season on Friday with a gathering that was a success from every point of view. The programme was characteristic of the parish – it was modest. The “gate” is almost the only source of revenue, and it is never of such dimensions that prize-money can be guaranteed sufficient to attract the great athletes of the country. . . . The Heavy Events – World’s Record Broken The heavy events were taken part in by local men particularly, but sufficient interest was added to the contests by the presence of J. W. Sutherland, the young Rogart athlete, who is fast coming to the front. Sutherland is only 21 years old, weighs not more than 10st. 10lb. [150 lbs.; 68.04 kg], and stands but 5 feet 6¼ inches [1.68m] high yet he putted a 16lb. [7.26 kg] ball 48 feet 10 inches [14.88m], and threw a hammer of a like weight 117 feet 1 inch [35.69m]. The former distance is 1 foot 3 inches [38.1 cms] over the present world’s record, established some years ago by an athlete of 6 feet 1 inch [1.85m], and weighing seven stone [98 lbs.; 44.45 kg]