The times., 1897-06-13
.C0LUNB|A's GRAND DAY
Marathon Race a Phenomenal
Exhibition of Endurance.
TWO LOCAL RECORDS BROKEN
Adam johnson Within Five Feet
of Worlds Discus Throw Frauz
Makes a New Local Mark and
Wins Three Firsts Sch.ade Still
Seems Iuvincihle.

The annual spring field and track meet
terday afternoon on Colunlb Field, was
a brilliant success. Every event was hotly
contested andseveral surprises were sprung
on scratch men by some of the most prom
ising noyices ever turned out here by a
coach and trainer In almost every case
the victories were decisive, and n all
events the work was spirited and inter
esting. especially in the track events and
one or two OF the field events, where
portunity offers loses has advantage.
Two Dist riot records were broken, and
new one made. For the former, Franz
Comes in for honors, by cIea ring 10 feet,
IL inches in the pole vault, smashing
the District record of 10 feet, 4 with a
crash Then Schade, the nervy little rider,
won his heat n the two mile bicycle
handicap from scratch in 4i4 20, lower
ing the District record for the distance
from 4:56, which, up To yesterday, was
the best ever made here IN competition,
either amateur or professional The record
for the c. A. c. track is 4:56.
The day was an ideal one for the
sport. The sun shone out bright and
warm after a most threa tening forenoon,
a breeze swept down the track and
field, and while it tempered the heat and
Contribut ed to the comfort of the specta-
tors it somewhat interfered with the
.fr11l in, rfr,r
and in consequence the track records did
not suffer The track and field We're in
splendid condition The attendance was
only fairly large, and the excellent set
OF games run off on almost schedule
time deserved large crowd. The fair
sex, in brightest costumes and prettiest
bonnets, made up almost the ''other
half" of the crowd.
1t is a noteworthy fact that the events
were run off without any of the usual
tedious waits, and there was always
something for the crowd to look at
Another feature was the splendid manner
in which the officials kept the infield
clear at all times OF persons who had no
business there. This is such an exceptional
occurrence that it is worthy of mention.
Referee Howard Perry deserves lots of
crdit for the prompt manner III which
the track events were run, and the Of
fioials who aided him come in for a share
of praise. like good word is due
Referee F. E Simpson, in charge of
bicycle events
The sensational event of the card OF
sixteen was the ten-Tnlle Marathon race,
which had four starters, who made two
turns around the track, and then started
off down Seventeenth street 10 the Monu-
ment and around the bathing beach to and
across the Long Bridge to Four Mile Run
and back over the same course and finished
with two laps and then the tape. It was
the most rema rkable exhibition of grit,
nerve, endurance and speed ever shown in
this city III athletic sports, and will be
the talk of the local athletic world until
next year. when another one is run.
There were four starters, Frank Par
sons, R. A. W. McKelden, G. c. Shaw, all
of c. A c., and w. G. Stuart, of C. A C:
and Central High School. Starter Bobby
Elder fired his pistol at $40 clock, and
the four runners were off on their long
journey Parsons at once started in 10
set the pace and easily led his field by
twenty-five yards when the party left The
grounds. As they went away farewells
and warnings and suggestions were
given them Each man had follower on
a wheel to look after him.
A last, after an hour or more, the look
outs sighted them returning, and then there
was a scramble to see them comein.
At last they entered the field and were
enthusiastically welcomed Side by side
came nervy Stuart and gritty Shaw in a
lope. half way round the track they went,
and in came Nick and he took the
track. Coming around the far turn for the
second time. Stuart and Shaw. side and
side, felt that the supreme moment had
come, and began the real test of speed.
and, to the surprise and arnazement Of all.
they set out as if just beginning a 22o-
yard race, and, coming into the flat, they