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

GREAT FOOT RACE ON SUNBURY COMMON.

The long-expected match between Townshend and Fuller,
for £lOO a-side took place yesterday. Much difficulty had
occurred in bringing the men together. Townshend is well
known by the cognomen of "the veteran." He has for many
years been unvanquisied, and for long distance was con-
sidered unequalled. Fuller is a young man, who defeated
Byrne a few months since in a contest of 40 miles on Wim-
bledon Common. The rivalry between the competitors of
yesterday almost amounted to enmity, and, although there
was a greatdisparity in age, '1 ownshend found a hacker, 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
he disputed as long as nature could hold out. The friends of
Fuller wished a 40 mile distance as one best calculated for
their man, but 60 miles were ultimately agreed upon as the
distance, in fair toe and heel walking, on Sunbury Common,
as presentingnearly 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 last month in hard training, the
veteran at Norwood, and his opponent at Putney. They
arrived at Hampton ou Monday evening, and at live yester-
day morning were taken by their backers to the scene of ac-
tion. The two miles chosen were from the 14th milestone,
on the London side of the George; in the, lane across the
common, to the stone three miles on this side of Staines.
Umpires having been appointed and a referee chosen, at
seven o'clock the men appeared. 'They presented a wonderful
contrast when disencumbered of their loose coats. Towns-
bend looked confident as ever, •but it was evident he bad
more to expect from tact and game than from real training.
Fuller, a tine young man, in the prime of life, with consider-
able length, wr uld have been selected by any passer-by as
the one best calculated for such a distance, and 6 to 4 were
freely offered on him at starting. The lead-off was admirable;
Fuller went rtght away from his man, completed his two
miles out first, and finished his fourth three minutes and
thirty-two seconds a-head of his opponent. 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 eke. At the conclusion of the 12th mile
Fuller had increased his advantage to nearly ten minutes,
and both appeared to .be out of wind. Townshend drank
some ale and ginger beer mixed without making any stay,
and did not appear to feel the least concern or annoyance at
his adversary gaining 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 tip 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
aeven 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 the four miles. At
one o'clock the men had concluded half the distance in the
following order :--

FULLER.

The first four miles were performed in 37 min. 5 see•
Second ditto ditto
Third ditto ciao
Fourth ditto
Fifth ditto
Sixth ditto ditto
Seventh ditto
The two miles

Total 3O miles, 5 hours t i min. 36 sec.
In the sixth four miles the time occupied in refreshing is
included :

TOWNSHEND'S TIME.

The first. four miles were performed in 4O min. 37 sec.
Second ditto
Third ditto '44 min. lit sec.
.
Fourth ditto
...._

Fifth ditto ..
Sixth ditto 5O min. 5 sec
Seventh ditto
'rhe two miles making half

Total
The space of ground over which the men walked was at
this time almost impassable from the arrival of persons in dif-
ferent vehicles from town and the adjacent parts of the
country.

Fuller came up to his 32d mile at 40 minutes after 12, and
Townshend at three minutes past one; the latter looked much
distressed, but his opponent was as lively as ever. Towns-
hond started to complete his 36th miles but nature failed.
Ile complained severaly of bodily illness, and resigned.
Fuller went on comfortable, varying from 44 to 47 minutes
in the execution of every fourth mile, nor did he throughout
exhibit that indication of distress which might have been an-
ticipated in his Herculean task. He came up to the mile-
stone at 32 miles completed, and was accompanied in the last
journeys by Bryne, whom he defeated at Wimbledon. He
'took 5U minutes more to make up 36, and then went away at
a rapid speed for the final four miles, which he accomplished
easily.—Siandarcl, Wednesday.

THE VERY LAST JONATHAN.—It is expected that the r ew
steamers building at New York will reach England so time-
tion quick,' that the people of Liverpool will he able to hear
the applause of the crowds on her leaving the commercial
metropolis of the United States.—New York Courant.

GLASGOW, PAISLEY, AND GREENOCK RAlLWAY.—Wed-
nesday last, the foundation stone of the railway bridge over
Cart was laid, and the building has since been proceeded
with in a spirited manner. The- foundations are laid about
eight feet below the bed of the river, and res' on stifF clay.
The span of the bridge is to be 85 feet, and its width over the
parapets will be 28 feet. The contracts for the line between
Paisley and Johnstone, of the Ayr branch, have been taken
up, and active operations will be commenced forthwith.—
Paisley Advertiser.