ATHLETICS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2498, 11 May 1909, Page 2

ATHLETICS.

NOTES. J. A. Rector, the Virginia flyer, has, states the “New York Tribune,” arranged to meet Walker, the fleet-footed champion from South Africa ivho won the/100 metres dash at the Olympic Games in London on June 25. The nicotine -will be at Travers Island, Neiv York.

An Egyptian Marathon race ivas run recently, the course being from the outskirts of Cairo, near Rodak Island, to Heluan, a distanco of eighteen miles a lid a" half. There were forty-three starters, tho favorite boing an Englishman named Marson, in the Egyptian GoA-ernment service, and a Bedouin, IMahommed Khalifa.The race was Avon, hmvever, by a private in the 4th Infantry Battalion of the Egyptian Army named Ibrahim Asr Ibrahim, avlio covered the distance in 2hr smin47sec. Marson, English Sanitary Service, ivas second (2hr 9mm), and ‘Private J. Jones, 4th . Battalion Rifle Brigade, third. The Aviuner, ivlio was quite fresh, drew himself up after passing the tape and gave a military salute, Aviiicli evoked tremendous applause frpm the numerous British and Egyptian soldiers present. It is regarded as an excellent thing that the winner should have been an Egyptian, and .especially an Egyptian soldier, as it is hoped that the result of the race will encourage the entivation of athletic sports among Egyptians. It is x a curious fact that perfect health is not consistent with high muscular development. Professional athletes and all men who acquire phenomenal strength seem to lose in length of life and activity what they gain for a few years of record-breaking power. Take, for instance, Louis Cyr, the Canadian giant, avlio broke all AAoight-liftincr records. He weighed 3201 b, and was all solid hone and muscle. He could hold his wife out at arm’s length with one hand, and raise a 3001 b barrel from the floor to his shoulder, using only one hand and arm. Yet this remarkable man Avas muscle-bound and eripplcfd at 37, when be should have been at the height of his Avonaerful powers. Kennedv, who won a diamond belt for lifting Vi th his hands from the floor, absolutely without apparatus, a -10001 b weight, was used up and crippled before, he was 10.