Modern Athletics 1868

20 MODERN ATHLETICS. aptitude for cHstinguisliing fair "toe and heel going," in fact, who is or has been a walker himself, should be selected. Professional referees as a rule have not the same firm decision of mind as an amateur, anddo not like to make themselves obnoxious by disqualifying a competitor. The referee should always judge acompetitor by running alongside of him and carefully watchinghis feet and knees, not his shoulders and body, as this method is tohnely true mode of testing fair walking.Before the starttakes place, the referee should clearly specify to the competitors how many cautions, generally two, will be given. It is usual to give none in the last lap, but to disqualifya walker in­ stantly shouldhe commence "lifting." No appeal what­ ever must beallowed against this official's decision. Heats. —When thenumber of entries for one race are large, the competitors shouldbe divided into heats. For sprint races six is the outside number that should be allowed to start in one heat; but in half-mile and other longer distance contests, ten or a dozen can compete at once. If any competitor jostles, runs across, or wilfully obstructs another runner, he should be immediately dis­ qualified. As much time as possible should intervene between the trial heats and finoanl e. When the meeting extends over two days, the final heats should be run on the second one. Handicaps. —Thegreat success of this description of contest, as established by the Metropolitan and University Athletic Clubs, has rendered such races very popular. There is indeed far moreinterest taken in a well-arranged handicap than in anordinary contest whore all start off one mark. The great difficulty, however, is in obtaining an efficient handicapper. He must not only be well acquainted with the doings of the various performers, but must be capable of comparing their times with those of the other competitors, and ofmaking the neces­ sary allowances tothose not sowell qualified to compete. To obtain proficiency in the science of handicapping, a long and studious apprenticeship must be served, and the task should notbe undertaken, even in localcontests, without a thorough knowledgeof the business in hand. Hurdle Races. —The general distances for these are 120 and 200 yards, with 10 and 12 flightsof hurdles respec­ tively. The proper heightof the hurdles is 3feet 6inches, and in the 120 yards they are placed 10 yards apart, with