Modern Athletics 1868

vi PREFACE. of space at the last moment precluded their insertion. Of metropolitan meetings preference has been given to those oi the West London EowingClub, the firstto hold athletic sports in London. The tables of the best per­ formances on record have been carefully compiled from files of Sell's Life in London, witohne or two exceptions. It was found absolutelynecessary to select some autho­ rity as a standard, and that journal was accordingly chosen as the oldest reliable chronicle of pedestrianism. The statistics of the fastest amateur times have been compiled with the greatest possiblecare. A figure makes but little show in print, butht e discovery of that figure, the testing, the confirmation orcorrection of it, involves much search and patient investigation. At provincial meetings instances are constantly occurring of ama­ teurs being said to have run 100 yards in 10 seconds; but it will be almost invariably foundon close inquiry either that the course is down hill, the distance is short, the " docker"a tyro at his work, or else that a very strong wind blew in the rear of the runner. The Au­ thor firmly believes that there are not two amateurs now alive who could run 100 yards in such time on a path as levelas a billiard-table and on a perfectly calm and favourable day. Provincial committees, who are naturally and properly proud of the feats they record, must recollectthat tocorrectly obtain the fastest times on record requires a long series of arithmetical calcula­ tions, in orderto compare the times and distances of all the races a manhas ever run. No pedestrian, either ama­ teur or professional, ever attaintshe toprung of the ladder at one step;and when aman is said to have done " the fastest time onrecord," the only method of proving the truth of the assertion itso look up all his previous per­ formances. In conclusion, the Author offershis best acknowledg­ ments to theEditors of Bell's Life in London and the Sportsman, tor the assistance received in compiling the table of fastest professional running times; and to those amateurs who kindly forwardedparticulars of their age, height, and weight, whichave not been publishedin cases where any gentlemandesired they should bewithheld. H. F. W ILKINSON, 53A, PALLMALL, LONDON, September 30, 1868.