ATHLETICS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2469, 6 April 1909, Page 2

ATHLETICS.

SHRUBB’S DEFEAT. LONGBOAT THE “GREATEST MARATHON RUNNER IN THE WORLD.” Alfred Shrubb, the groat English long-distance runner, who was. defeated by Tom Longboat, the Canadian, in a Marathon race in the Madisbn-square Garden recently after leading for nearly twenty-five miles, generously sent his congratulations to the winner, declaring him to bo the "greatest Marathon runner in the world. “I have no excuses to offer,” he said. “I am purely a fifteen-mile runner.” The general opinion, however, is that Shrubb would have won if r he had been less ambitious to set the pace. He took the lead in the first lap and held, it until he Fad gone twenty-four miles five laps, lowering all indoor records for twenty miles. The crowd called out to the stolid Indian', “Tom, take, a taxi. Tom, send up C.D.Q.,” and similar expressions, but Longboat never wavered. When the Indian’s backers saw Shrubb showing signs of distress they violated the rules of tho contest. Men entered the track and paced the Indian, and his little bride, wearing a white fur: neckpiece, shouted words of encouragement, in reply to which the Indian grunted complacently. Then the referee awoke to the fact that the rules' were being violated and ordered pacers' off the track. . At first no attention was paid to the order, which was finally obeyed, but-not before one of Longboat’s pacers in his eagerness, to run close to the Indian’s heels unintentionally jostled Shrubb.

After going ten miles Shrubb had gained a lead of five laps, which he had increased to six and a quarter laps at the end of the fifteenth mile, and to nearly nine laps at the end of the twentieth mile. From that point, however, Longboat began steadily to gain. When Longboat at last caught up Shrubb in the twenty-fifth mile, the Englishman was only able to go on for half a lap more when he collapsed into the arms of his,trainer.

Longboat continued, and finished in good condition, but the time —21irs. 53 min. 40 2-ssec. —was nine minutes slower than Dorando’s when he defeated Hayes.

WALKER V. RECTOR AND KERR

America and Canada are greatly interested in the proposed visit of Reg. Walker next fall, and the Toronto papers contain a statement that J. A. Rector, who was reported to have permanently- retired from active athletics, has recently received a special letter from; President 1 Roosevelt, asking him t 6 redstart training for the purpose of running Walker'if the South African definitely decides to visit the States. Canadians are particularly keen- on. the proposed tour of the Dominion, and the papers state that Sherring and other competent judges reckon Kerr is sure to beat the flying Natalian. By the way,Walker received an interesting letter from Bob Kerr by yesterday’s mail. President- Roosevelt wants to see Walker meet Rector and Kerr with the pick of American and Canadian -sprinters, and the general wish is that the Durban boy should also compete in the senior championships of both countries. If all goes well meantime, Walker will leave for London about the first week in May, and he will be accompanied by a prominent member of the Natal Association, who is contemplating some six months’- holiday in England and the States. According to latest accounts, it is also possible that J. W. Morton will, join'the party, as the ex-British champion has been invited to renew acquaintance with the States and Canada.