Modern Athletics 1868

2G MODERN ATHLETICS, The first meeting of any consequence wasthat held at Blackheath on October 5, 1867, where the two most notice­ able features were the defeat of W. P. P. Mootrhee, cham­ pion, who had injured his knee, in the pole jump by A. Lubbock of the M.C.O., whowon with an excellent jump of 9 feet 6 inches : andthe dehut ofS. P. Smith asa walker. The latter_ received a long start in the 3 miles walking handicap, increased ita, nd won from endto end veryeasily; his style and pace giving that promise of better things, which was duly fulfilled later in the season. The local 100 yards fell an easyprey to R. L. Willoughby (who had shown fair form at the last spring meetionfgthe London A.C.), while the local mile and 260 yards handicaps need no notice, the competitors withone or two exceptions be­ ing unknown. The final heat of the 120 yards open han­ dicap hurdles,produced a fine race between RS. .Sweetland and E. V. Mackay,both of whom came from Blackheath School, and received8 and 9 yardsrespectively; the former winning by a couple of yards in 18^ seconds. An open quarter mile handicap (whicfhrom his subsequentrunning must have been woneasily by H. J. Homer otfhe London A.C. but for Lis falling) was eventually won by P, Schultze of the London Scottish lVi., in 66 seconds, who, favoured by the handicap, just beat J. R. Preeceof the London A.O., to whom he gave 10 yards. E. J.Colbeck of the London A.O. and EH. avers of Ingatestone, tied for the high jump at 5 feet 5 inches,having two good men behind them in 0. Guy-Pymof the Civil Service, andJ.A. Harwood of the London A.C.,The mile handicap steeple­ chase was won by A. Maddock of Richmond, receiving 15 seconds from W.M. Chinnery, (London A.O.)the scratch- man, who never got near the leadersR. . 0.Hannis of the Eton Excelsior B.C., who had 8 seconodfsthe winner, ran him hard and showedfair form, but had not calibreenough to compete successfully with Maddock,who is thought by some to be the coming mile runner. Blackheathhas ever been celebrated as producing celebrated runners, and this, the first meeting passed offmost successfully. The times were good throughout, considering the length thofe grass on whiqh the course waslaid out and the high wind,- The Kingsbury Meetionnge, of theoldest and pleasantest suburban fixtures,came off on October 9, after apostpone­ ment from August. Unfortunately therain descended in a steady downpour throughout the day, making all the