The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1838-09-21 00:00:00

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GREAT FOOT RACE ON .SUNBURN' COMMON

The. long-expected match between Townshend and Fuller,
fi;r £lOO a-side look place yesterday. Much difficulty ban
occurred in bringing the men together. Townshend is cell
known by the cognomen of "the veteran." e has for many'
vears.. been un vanquished, and for long distance was con-
sidered uneinalled. Fuller is a young man, who defeated
Bs e a few inunths since in a contest of 40 miles on Wim-
bledon Common. The rivalry between the competitors of
Yesterday -almost amdunted to enmity. and, •alt bough there
was a greatdi-sparity in age. Townshend founda backer, who,
relying upon his stamina and spirit, entertained sanguine
hopes of his success: _There was very considerable betting,
as it. was known that this was a genuine match, and would
be disputed as long as nature could hold out. The friends of
Fuller wished a 4(1 mile distance as one best calculated for
their man, but GU miles wet e ultimately agreed upOn as the
distance in fair toe and heel walking, ou Sunbury Common,
as presenting nearly a dead level. The match was arranged
to be walked on a two-mile piece of ground, out and in.
Both men had been for the las; month in hard training, the
veteran at Norwood, and his opponent at. Putney. They
arrived at Hampton tin Monday evening, and at five yester-
day morning were taken by their backers to the scene of ac-
tion. Time two miles chosen were from the 14th milestone,
on the London side of the George, in the lane across the
eninmon, to the s'one three miles on this side of. Staines.
Umpires having been appointed and a referee chosen, at
seven o'clock the men iippeared. They presented a wonderful
contrast when disencumberedgr.mifinte hhetirmlicls,enctriaet,stl.
training'.vuoer, totine expect
vn from
'Towns-
fiend looked confident as ever, hut it was evident he had
a
n
tact and
intiiithe prime of life, with consider•
inuree
ii:ro
able length. would have been selected by any passer-by as
theone best calculated for such a distance, and 6 to 4 were
freely offered in him at starting. The lead-off was admirable;
Fuller. went right tiway from his in completed his two
miles:out.-first, and- finished his fourth three minutes- and
thirty-two seconds a-head of his opponeet. All those ac-
quainted with matters of this description declared that such
speed could not last, and that it was more in favour of Towns-
bend than anything else. At the conclusion of the 12th mile
Fuller had increased-"his advantage to nearly ten minutes,
and boil: appeared to be out if wind. Townshend drank
scone. ale and. ginger beer mixed without making any stay,
and did not appear to feel t lie least concern or annoyance•at
his advers try gain;ng• two or three minutes in every fourth
mile. The interest at the 20th mile was very considerable.
Townshend had appeared very groggy, but shook it off and
• kept up a quiet, regular, lasting' pace. 'Fuller walked lightly,
appeared in high spirits, and when the 20th mile had been
completed- refreshed at the George, where he only rested
seven minutes. In the seventh four miles Fuller was evidently
distressed, and his adversary made way upon him, and gained
upwards of three minutes and a halt in time four miles. At
one o'clock the men had concluded half the distance in the
following order :--