ATHETICS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2600, 7 September 1909, Page 6

ATHETICS.

A WALKING RECORD. iJnithd PitK6» Association — CorraionT LONDON, Sept. 5. Ross, a “Paily Mail” electrician, won the polytechnic London, to Brighton walk, doing the distance in 8 hours 11 minutes 14 seconds, and establishing a record. A B. POSTLE ANSWERS HIS CRITICS. In view of the fact that A. B. Postle intends visiting New Zealand for the coming season, the following will be of interest : ‘ , ~ ~ From the “Sporting Chronicle (7/9/’09): People that know anything at all about pedestrianism are well aware that in doing half a yard inside 23sec “up Higginshaw” on Saturday, July 3, Arthur Postle did what was, under the circumstances, a capital

performance. Even on fair conditions his running was- equal to 41yds. inside 23sec, but over and above that the adverse windage had to be borne in mind and likewise calculated. Moreover, the Australian fulfilled all that was required of him, so that the following letter, which shows how he is feeling the vile aspersions which have been cast on his bona fides, may seem to the fair-mind-ed to be unnecessary. We do not think so, and hope, as a matter of fact,, it may have the effect of doing something to convince even the pig-headed. POSTLE’S VERSION. , Sir, —Kindly allow me space in your paper to give my version of the 220 yards race between Bert Day and myself. ran at Oldham on Saturday last. The various accounts that I have read give me little or no credit for the victory. In fact, I have not been able to find a clipping of any paper that I would care to send to my friends abroad. Why this sparing praise I cannot understand. I have also heard a whisper that there is an undercurrent of doubt existing, even amongst Day’s hackers, whether or not the race was genuine. All I can say is that, if the rumors are true, and any of Day s hackers are bad-minded enough to- imagine that the race was squared, then such backer is a contemptible coward, rather than an English sportsman. Allow me, before proceeding further, to comment on the time, which, unfortunately, was slow, and it is this fact that would cause some who are not familiar with running to wonder. Besides, it would serve those of a filthy mind as a string to harp their cruel insinuations on! However, anyone of ordinary intelligence that has interested himself in athletics would know prior to the race on Saturday that comparatively poor time was inevitable. The track itself, though uphill, was in good order. But we had to breast a strong gale, blowing straight down a narrow track, hedged in by the people on either side. I am quite sure there was a difference of two seconds in the reverse ways of the track on Saturday, and I am equally sure had the day been favorable I would, have run 21 i seconds. I ran this time up the Wigan track just after the rain, on the Monday previous to the race, giving two men (one of them being amongst the best in England) 10 and 20 yards respectively, and winning easily by over a yard. I had great faith in my ability to heat Day, as did all my friends here at Southport. I also think I would have beaten anyone living on the day. I have come to England at my own expense to run straight races against anyone up to 220 yards. I have never run other than a straight race in my life, and never intend to. I have run Bert Day nine times, out of which I have beaten him eight. No one has ever broken the worsted in front of me over sprint courses upon level terms. The only time I ever was beaten was bv Day. at Salford, last year, when I lost £320 of my own money, over 440 yards. He was no match for me at any distance in Australia. I met him a week later than when he made his record of 47 4-ssec. for the 440. We ran on a straight grass track, lift Bin rise, and with a light breeze against us. ’ He was favorite at 2 to 1 on, and I made him stop ten yards to go in sQsec. On the same course X beat him several yards over 200 yards in 19fsec. I can assure you it is much against the grain to write of myself. Actions speak louder than words,as a rule, hut in. the face of what I have done during my career, I hate to-hear insinuations about the genuineness of my races, as I also do to read remarks that I was lucky to win. _ I trust you will excuse me, Mr Editor, for giving vent to my feelings to such length. In conclusion, I wish -to state I will run anyone in the world up to 220 yards for a goodly sum; also, I will give anyone in the world half a yard in: 60,, and run a level 130 with anyone to meet both men on the same afternoon, for £IOO each distance: Thanking you in anticipation for publication,—Yours, &c. : Arthur Postle. Southport, July 6,1909.