The Sun.
London, England, 1862-09-16 00:00:00

PEDESTRL4NIS3I.

HACKNEY-WICK.

GREAT RACE BE; WEEN E. MILLS, OF BETIINAL • GREEN,
AND W. LANG, OF MIDDLESBOROUGH, POR £5O AND
THE SIX MILES CHAMPION CUP.
This L er or the pedestrian arena has excited much in.
terest. A fine race was fully expected ; but in this struggle
the men surpassed all their former efforts. There could
not be less than 4,000 spectators assembled. To complete
the six miles the pedestrians had to pass the referee 41
times, and at six they made their appearance on the
course, Lang, who was attended by the well-known Jesse
Smith and Mr. John Roberts, being the first to do so. The
ten-mile champion looked well; but after the race was
over he stated that he was hardly in such fine "nick" as
he should liked to have been. Mills, since he contended for
the Ten-mile Cup, has greatly improved ; and as the pre-
sent distance was known to be more within his compass,
than when he met Lang on the preceding occasion, his
friends were confident of success, and made him the fa-
vourit at 7to 4. We had nearly forgotten to state, among
the celebrities who were present wereDeerfoot, the Indian,
and Capt. Patten Saunders, the amateur runner, who it is
anticipated will yet run the Indian. The start had to be
made from opposite the Stand, and the competitors having
taken up their position the signal was given. It had been
expected Mills would have gone off with the lead, but to
the surprise of all the little champion contented himself
with for a time playing second fiddle, keeping some two
yards in the rear of his powerful opponent. Men with finer
action, more freedom in stride, or with better or more grace-
fulness of carriage, never yet contended fir supremacy.
The pace was wonderful, and no alteration occurred until
racing the seventh lap, this being for the finish of the
first mile. Here Mills, as they went along the back,
closed sip the interval between them, and as they came
rising on the crest of the hill assumed the lead. The
mile was run in 4 minutes 48 seconds, a proof that they
had been working the fast movements in unmistakeable
style. In the second mile, and while running the 10th lap,
there was again an alteration in the position of the men; for
the provincial in the back of the course, where his fine stride
and power were displayed to advantage, again wrested the
lead from his man, and on the finish of the two miles (9
E minutes 59 seconds), was leading by not more than a yard.
The three miles were run in 15 minutes 11 seconds; four
miles in 20 minutes 35 seconds, the lead all through being in
favour of Lang, although, on the finish of the lap that com-
pleted the last of the above-mentioned miles, the men on
passing the referee were close in, and side by side. No sooner
had the pedestrians entered upon the fifth mile than Mills
went bounding along with astonishing speed, and rubbed
out the difference between himself and opponent, as if ho
had mounted that new wonder from Africa, the " india-
rubber horse." Although Mills, as he shot off with the lead,
made for the moment a formidable gap between himself and
opponent, yet Lang gave ample proof that even now the
race was by no means so safe as he had expected, and that
he was not to be obliterated without undergoing much hard
running. The five miles were run in 25 minutes 42 seconds,
a proof that none but a " rasper " would stand the least
chance with either. Throughout the last mile the match
was contested in the same magnificent style, and on the
finish Mills went in a winner by not more than a yard, the
six miles being run in 31minutes 7 seconds, both men being
completely pumped out, and no wonder, when the race is
duly considered. Lang has made a fresh match, and the
requisite articles are to be deposited at the stakeholder's
official head-quarters on Friday next.

BROMPTON.
MILE RACE BETWEEN GARRICK AND ABRAHAMS.
There was a very large attendance of the sporting metro-
politans yesterday, on Mr. John Roberts's Ground, to wit-
ness the mile race between these pedestrians. The start
had been appointed to take place at four o'clock, so that
those who attended might afterwards be in time for the
principal event, the race for the Six-mile Champion's Belt,
between Mills and Lang. Punctual to the time named Mr.
Roberts, who superintended the wh le of the proceedings,
had the men on the mark; the well-known George Martin
being chosen to officiate as referee. The betting was 6 to
4 on Garrick, and on the start being made the favourite
went away with the lead, and a really fine well-contested
race ensued. The competitors were never at any period of
the struggle more than five yards apart, that being the die- ,
taace by which Garrick, on passing the goal, want in a j
winner, the mile being covered in 5 min. 1 sec. This I
" enlivener" having been satisfactorily disposed of, all
hastened with the utmost speed to Mr. Baum's eastern ren-
dezvous, the forces being brought on the ground by Gen.
Roberts in ample time to witness the whole of the fine ex-
citing struggle for the Champion's Belt.