Modern Athletics 1868

REVIEW OF THE ATHLETIC SEASON, 18G7-8. 37 amateur time then known, viz., 15 minutes 15 seconds. The two scratchmen, W. Ryeof the Thames li. (J., and E. M. Williams of the Civil Service, who had never met before, walked a very fast race for a mile, which Rye (then leading well) did in' 7minutes 15 seconds—the best amateur time then known; Rye winning third prize in 15 minutes 17 seconds; Griffith's time for the second being 15 minutes 32 seconds, and Williams' 15 minutes 35 seconds. Balliol CollegeO, xford, sportstook place on December 2 and 3. R. T. Reid, who is a good sprinter, but does not compete much, won the 100 yards in 1Of seconds; also ran second in the quarter mile, and won the cricket-ball event, although handicapped three yards.The strangers' 100 yards was altered from a handicap to a level race, which produced its effect onthe field, as six only came to the post. It wasa foregone conclusion, for W. M. Ten- nent of Manchester, who won from end to end in 10|- seconds, having behind him some good sprinters in the shape of F. O. Philpott, St. EdmundH's all; P. Somer­ vell, St. John's, andE. Nolan, St. John's. The fields for all the other events were numerous, but nothing note­ worthy occurred. On December 4, the Oxford University Athletic Club held a 150 yards and half-milheandicaps, which were sup­ plemented by a three-miles walking race, quite an inno­ vation at Oxford, thoughlong since mvogue atCambridge. In the finalheat of the 150, O. Pairlie, ChristChurch (7 yards), kept his lead at starting fromOF..Philpott,Mag­ dalen Hall (5 yards), and J. P. Tennent, Wadham (4 yards), and won by a couple of yards in 14-?s- econds. In the half-mile, R. Y. Somers-Smith, Merton (10 yards), with his usual luck in handicaps, won a clipping race by three yards fromW. P. Bowman, University, andW. J. Prere, Magdalen, bothof whom were at scratch. Bow­ man's time, viz., 2 minutes 2J seconds, shows that half a mils is his best distance. For the walking no less than ten competitors camteo the post, the best knownof whom were A. H. Johnson, Exeter; J, GWo.sset, Exeter; and W. O. Hughes-Hughes, Wadham.The former won by thirty yards inthe rather slowtime of 25 minutes 42^ seconds. The winner doesnot walk in by any means a pretty style, but haswonderful staying powers ; Hughes-