Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-11-16
PRIDDY WINS AGAIN.
The Mckee's Rocks Pedestrian De-
feats Z. C. McClelland in
AN EXCITING FIVE-MILE RACE.
Two Thousand Excited People Witness
the Hard Fought Contest.
TR0TTlNG GOSSIP FROM KENTUCKY

Probably there never was such an excit-
ing foot race in this State as that between
Peter Priddy and Z. C. McClelland last
evening at Exposition Park. Fully 1000
spectators were present, and their enthusl-
asm was unbounded. There were many
features which went to make the contest one
of an unusual nature. The runners are
claimed TO be the two best fve-mile run
ners 10 the world, and the rivalry be.
tween them is of the very keenest kind.
This latter fact caused the race to be one of
the souarest that has been run this or any
other country. Each man yesterday was ''out
for blood to use the ordinary sporting term,
and neither was ever In better condition IN his
life. The track. while sticky. WAS not extreme
ly bad and the time made, 2G:40 was very good
indeed, under the circumstances. For the
third time in succession in match races Prddv
defeated the Soho man. and it is not unreason-
able now to say that we must admit Priddy to
be the better man.
The football match which preceded the race
prevented the latter from commencing before
5 o'clock. 1t ought to have started at 4:30. AS
a result it was dark when the race ended.
When the men appeared on the track betting
was very lively at even money, but it was evil
dent that Priddy had the majority of SUP
porters. as the betting In some parts of the
park was 500 to $50 un Friday. The latter was
in the very pink of condition. and showed that
Sam Day had taken excellent care of him dur
ing the five weeks training. Priddy was full
oil yigor and confidence The same may be said
of McCleland, who had been trained bv Csris
Roselip. McClelland just before he started,
said:
~ never felt so confident of winning as do
this time"
In fact. both parties we're very confident of
victory. Ted johnson was selected referee
and starter. and Mr.. Thornhurg. OF the Press
Kept tally of the laps. The track was one of Il
quarter of mile, that the pedestrians had
to round it 20 times in their race. Excitement
ran very high when the runners toed the mark
and betting was at its heaviest. Offers of S25
to $50 on Prday were numerous and altogether
between s., 500 and s.. 900 were invested.
The contestants were sent off to good start
and Priddy at once allowed McClelland to be
pace maker. McClelland went away at q merry
rate with Priddy at his heels In this order they
ran until the eighteenth lap had nearly been
covered. Priddy stuck to his game opponentli like
a shadow, and do as he would McClelland could
not get an inch further away than about two
wards. McCleland's only hope was break
Priddy down. and this he failed to do although
he made one of the pluckiest attempts ever
seen on a track.
When the eighteenth lap was nearly finished
Priddy made his effort and McClelland re-
sponded and a most terrific struggle for the
lead ensued. Each man sprinted his best. and
twas here where Priddy showed his superiority.
Wher they had sprinted about 10 yards the
McKee's Rocks champion was eight or ten
yards in front The yells and shouts could have
heen heard in Butler county. McClelland, the
game that be is stuck to his work like
hero, and 1t was only because he was behind
better man that he could not improve his posi-
tion. They ran the last lap like demon amid
drzzling rain and sticky track. Priddv was
too strong and too speedy. and that was all
there was il it. He landed winner by about
% yards IN 96:40 The winner was completely
exhausted and apparently not so strong rs Nc
Clelland. The race was for $3.50 a side the gate
receipts, which netted the winner Il large sum.
The race needs little comment. McClelland,
who is one of the pluckiest runners in the
country, was simply beaten by a stronger and
speedier man. The former took his defeat
much to heart, but he couldn't possibly find
any fault except that he was not good enough
to win. Priddy stated last evening that he is
willing to run McClelland 4 race of ten miles.
They have now run four match races, as fol-
lows: Five miles. one mile. three miles and that
of Yesterday. PriGdv has won the latter three
and McClelland the first.