Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1878-03-29
0'Leary Walks Away From All Oompeti-
tors,

LONDON, March %.
The great international pedestrian
contest ended tonight in favor of
O'Leary, of Chicago, with score of 520
miles in six DAYS, over the best walkers
and runners that England could pro-
duce. The tournament was the result
of an offer by Sir John Ashley, M. p, who
guaranteed prizes amounting to ESQ
for a six days performance. The
special conditions were that the man
covering the greatest distance by walk
ing or running, without assistance, be-
tween one a. m. on the 18th inst.
and ten p. m. on the 23d, should be
entitled to the championship of the
world, and be presented with belt
valued at E1O0, and f50O prize money;
the next best competitor to receive f10O
and the third ESQ, and any competitor
covering AGO miles to receive back his
stake with an additional 910. Two
tracks were laid, one for Englishmen
and one for foreigners.
The affair proved to be one of the
most extraordinary pedestrian compe-
titions on record. The interest of the
outside public has been unfiagging
from the start tothe finish, and tonight
the building fairly swarmed with spec
tatOrs. r-. -...-.
Weston was entered for the race, and
was at first looked upon as the winner.
On it being announced that Daniel
O'Leary was to again come over, efforts
were made to keep him out of the race,
but on his arrival, through the influence
of his backer, who brought letters of
lot, H. Ill,
start. Weston then withdrew, as did
Grassland and Hewse, the famous pc
destrians. Seventeen started in the
race. All the prominent bookmakers
took great interest in the affair, and the
event was betting one second only in
Importance to the Derby.
At the start Vaughan, who was spe-
cially trained for the race, was the IA
vorite, but the American, O'Leary, was
strongly backed, although it was known
that he had no time to train at the start.
The bookmakers offered the following
odds: to against Vaughan; to 2
against o. Leary; 80 to 15 against Lewis.
Offers of to l were freely laid against
the Others Although O'Leary was in
poor condition at the start, after the
first day he gradually took the lead.
His hackers accepted all odds against
him, Vaughan was also backed in the
books heavily. Vaughan, Brown and
the remainder of the pedestrians, went
in turn after the American trying to
break him down, but the terrific ma
chine pace of O'Leary was too much
for them.
Of the English contestants Vaughan
proved the best, and the score made by
him shows wonderful pluck and endur-
ance, he having covered by running
and walking 500 miles. Brown also
excelled all his previous perform
ances, and takes the third prize
O'Leary walked his 500 miles in 1873
hours, IL minutes and 20 seconds, just
one hour ahead of the fastest time on
record. --
AT seven o'clock tonight the score
showed O'Leary SIC miles, Vaughan
497, Brown 472. O'Leary still had one
good leg. Vaughan completed 500
miles at 1888 and gave up the struggle.
O'Leary walked until $40, when he
had made $40 miles and two laps, 440
yards further than the best performance
on record. Brown walked until $50,
scoring Az miles and two laps. Ide
also walked until $3.50, scoring 405 miles
and four laps. O'Leary was then de-
clared winner amid the playing of ma
tional airs and boundless excitement
and enthusiasm. .-f rtu