The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1906-05-02
ANGLO=SAXON
IN THE LEAD
Chief Event at Athens Won
By a Canadian.
5HERRlNG BEAT WORLD
King and Queen OF Greece, With
100000 Spectators Cheer
the Athlete

ATHENS, May =. After all the
Splendid work done by The American
athletes at the Olympic games the
most spectacular and the chief event,
the Marathon twenty six mile race,
was snatched from them by William
Sherring of Hamilton, ont, member
of tile Canadian team.
1t was hoped that Mike Spring Of the
Pastlme Athletic club, Billy Frank, the
puzzle OF the lrish-American Athletic
club, or DAILY of Ireland would get
first place in this event, but the fore
casters proved to be all at sea
The largest crowd since the opening
day was in attendance The great sta
dunn was jammed with 100000 people
waiting to see the winner Of the heart
breaking contest Stagger in at the close
Of his twenty-six mile cross country
Journey
All interest was centered in the for
ty-eight athletes, the pick OF the world,
who were pounding their way over the
historic Marathon course.
The king and queen Of Greece, who
had been assured that one of their sub
iects would be- first TO appear in the
stadium. arrived early. Their advent
wrought the crowd TO fever pitch OF
excitement
Sherring speedily took the lead, fol
lowed by Swamberg (Swedel and
/ Frank. When he found himself well
ahead Sherring dropped into a walk.
/ giving himself great reserve for the
! final squirt Whenever he saw his op-
/ ponents approaching he resumed run
ming aud in this manner tired them all
out except Swamberg and Frank. who
always We're a good distance behind
Sherrnc ioked and laughed with his
Greek attendant and returned the ~.
tutes Of the cheering crowds
At the gates of the Stadium Sherring,
smiling and looking fresh and not at
all distressed, WIS joined by Crown
Prince Constantine. who ran alongside
until he ended his long journey in front
of King George and Queen Olga The
king handed Steering bouquet, while
ladies showered flowers and gifts upon
him. There was great cheering and en-
thusiasm. although the Greeks evident
y were disappointed
Swamherg followed seven minutes
behind the winner, and Frank came
twelve minutes later, both done up.
The king and queen both congratu-
lated Sherring in the kindliest manner.
As Sherring appeared the uproar was
deafening Resides the scores Of thou
sands at the Stadium awaiting the fin
ish great multitudes were stretched
along the Marathon course to cheer the
runners on their way
There were forty weight runners, of
whom four were Americans Michael
Spring, New York William g. Frank
Irish-American Athletic club. New
York; j. J. Fowler, Cambridgeport
Mass, and Joseph Forshaw, ST Louis
Sherring covered the terrific route OF
twenty six miles in , hours So minutes
Swamberg Of Sweden was second. The
promised fleet footed Greek who was
TO make all other competitors look like
gravestones did not materialize.
None of the four entries of the Unit
ed States was fast enough 10 beat the
Canadian and the Swede. Billy FRANK
OF the Irish American Athletic club OF
New York lasted long enough TO fnisl
third, which was going some. when il
is considered that be never took part II
race at that distance before.
If the gigantic Greek audience coulC
not see countryman finish in the frs
, three il was willing to rejoice in The
triumph Of an AngloSaNon
The final of the running high iuml
was won by Leahy of ireland with :
] lump of : feet 10 inches. Goenczy o
Hungary was second aud II. W kcr
rigan of Portland. Ore. and Diakides
a Greek. tied for third place.
r The 40 meter hurdle race was wol
nv X. G. Ieavtt of Wiliamstown
{ Mass. Healy of England was secon'
] and Duncker of Germany third.
P.J. Pilgrim of New York won thu
500 meter race j. u Lightbody o
Chicago university was second, ant
: Lieutenant HalSwell Of England wa
. third.