The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-04-08
OYER THIRTY " EDS IN THE RACE.
HeEelmnn Leads Mt the Second Hour of the
Twenty-four.Hour Journey.


Promptly at 10 o'clock last night moro than
thirty well-trained pedestrians started at the
Grand Central Palace in n twenty-four hour
race that Is destined to test their powers OF en-
durance to the utmost 1t is some years since
long-distance grinds were in vogue in New
York. but tho lapse OF time has by
no means damped the ardor Of former
champions. for among the starters last night
were many Of the men who made big
scores when contests lasting from a day to n
week lourished and attracted large crowds.
George Cartwright. Pete Edwards. Sam Day
and Alfred Elson were among the grizzled vet
Grams who sped nimbly around the track Inst
night. and in the early hours OF the contest
held their own fairly well with the younger
generation. Years ago Cartwright made the
record for twenty-four hours. while Elson. who
has competed in numerous six-day races. is on
the verge OF the three score and ten years al
lotted to most men to live.
In decided contrast to the timeworn old
"peds' was the brigade Of youngsters who
essayed a contest OF this description for the
first time. Nearly all Of them looked to be
trained too fine. and many are apparently des-
tined TO fall by the wayside before half the
journey is finished. The youngest OF the lot is
Elmer Barnes. He is only II years old. but
they say in Greenwich. where he lives. that he
Ntf u'u "i'h bt' ''ON " y "''' ~ w" ~
be among the leaders at the finish.
Nearly every nationality was represented in
the crowd that dashed away when Al Smith
fred the pistol. American and Irish predomi-
pated. Nearly all the p%lodders from the Green
Isle were profusely decorated with vivid green
ribbons in addition to the racing colors worn
by each man. Oliver Hansen. the Norwegian.
and A: Petersen. tho Dane. fraternlzed before
the start. Both are. stockily built. and look
too heavily developed above the waist to per-
form well In q trying race,
Shortly after 4 o'clock. when the doors
opened. the men and their trainers began to
arrive, Most Of them brought their cooking
utensils and other parapheTnulia in curious
looking bundles. Ono had his outfit Enuglv
tucked away in n butter tub. others had
baskets, while some had trudgcd through the
rain with huge PAPER parcels. from which bad
was gayly decorated with flags and bunting,
and during the hours while the crowd awaited
the appearance OF the contestants on the truck
Rosattfs First Naval lcscrv" Band enlivened
tn" proceedings.
The track is eighteen tcct wide. II is made
OF tanbark, with, a top dressing OF suwdust.
and has a raised curb on each side the men
have to run thirteen lRps to make milo. -Four
Of tho contestants. hut from the appearance Of
, tho rooms last night not one Of the men antici-
pate spending much time In them. as not one
~ the runners had n cot NJ his disposal. For
on tables. while others were stretched out on
the floor.
Guerrero. with, his long, leapinG stride. I'm
nearly a lap ahead Of Hcg"lman. The order OF
and Dean. Shortly after tho mile was finished
Guerrero ovcrlapped Hogelman, and then
settled down into n steady lopc, II" covered
III" men closely following him retained the
same relative positions. Tho score AT II O'Clock