Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-09-10
DIETRICH WINS
MARATHON RACE
-
FIRST PACIFIC COAST EVENT A
SUCCESS
ATHLETES COVER COURSE IN
FAST TIME
Run from Los Angeles 70 Venice
Arouses Great Enthusiasm Among
PopuIaoe of Both Cities and
Becomes Fixture
THE WINNERS
BY HOWE WILLIAMS

AioHB the DeAuClIul, picturesque and
In every way suitable course that
stretches from Los Angeles to sea-
sprayed Venice, the pew-world Mara
thon race was run yesterday by plucky
young Californian athletes, who, under
the auspices Of Los Angeles Athletic
club and with the cordial ENCOURAGE
ment OF the public, successfully ac-
| complished what will be looked back
| 10 in the years to come as the first
olympic game in a Southern California
series.
When Edward Dietrich sprang over
sne nnish line he had completed the
| 10 $40 miles from the Los Angeles
Athletic club to the Venice annex in
the remarkable time Of two hours, one
and one-half minutes, and had estab-
lsned the pioneer record of the South
ern California Marathon.
AT o'clock sharp Mayor HARPER
fired the pistol shot which will echo
round the world to announce that Cali
fornia has added classic laurel to her
wreath. Eight contestants sprang from
the starting line, but, mindful of the
arduous task before them, did NOT
sprint or dash or force the pace. but
swung comfortably into the easy trot
Wnlch was to carry them over the long
distance.
Finish with Ease
Over no other course In the world
could such race have been run with
SO little physical discomfort. 1T was
dry under foot-"good going'-and a
gentle breeze from the sea was blow
iAg with refreshing and invigorating
effect
All the contestants finished with ease
and comfort, and each of them sprint
ed over the --ome stretch, showing he
had abundance of reserve force and his
endurance had not been overtaxed.
AFTER recuperative visit to their
cots the lads were "as good as new
The race. which was conceived and
planned by one Of the members of The
Herald staff and was carried out under
the auspices of the Los Angeles Ath-
ietic club, was stupendous success in
every way. 1t was the first long-dis-
lance endurance run ever undertaken
west of the Mississippi and the time
made by the winner in yesterdays race
compares favorably with the time OF
the best runners In the worlds great
Marathon races. The race was the
genesis Of that branch of athletics in
Southern California and the enthusiasts
tic support which the contest received
wpl make 1t a permanent athletic fea-
ture of Los Angeles.
Closely following the winner, exactly
five minutes behind him, Charles
Boscha, one of the favorites in the bet
ting, crossed the line. He was followed
a minute and a half later by Retzer
and some five minutes later by Law
renee, who beat out Pensa, another
| favorite, by nearly nine minutes.
Venice Is Interested
A large crowd awaited the runners
at the finish. They we're apprised of
the coming of Dietrich by The Herald
bulletins posted In front of the Annex.
| and q lookout stationed on the top of
the building blew a steam whistle when
he appeared in view Half hundred
bathers started out In a fast sprint to
welcome the victor, and as he ran down
the Midway and along the asphalt
pavement to the plunge he was accom-
panied by hundred runners who tried
| to keep UP with him In the last squirt
to the line. AS Dietrich struck the
string demonstration which a presi-
Dental candidate might have been
proud OF was awarded him. At the fin
ish he appeared fresh and strong. He
scorned all assistance as he walked up
the stairs to the rooms of the club.
In view Of the wonderfully fast time
made by Deitrick, who has never before
been a contestant in a race and who
was one of the few men who did not
train assiduously for the race, he is
considered by many as a. future winner
of track laurels II he ever chooses to
enter any OF the great endurance races
of the world.
New Runner Developed
One runner in the race who was not
on the schedule was Carol Bailey Of
Fifteenth and Main streets. Carroll is
years old and performed the remark
able feat of running ten miles side by
side with L. L. Burke. Burke had been
running along at a good jog when at
Fifteenth street he happened to look
down and found that he was being
paced by a small boy, hatless and bare
footed.
He paid no attention to the boy for
several miles when Carol said, Come
on we are falling behind"
Burke increased his pace, but was
unable to lose the boy. For nine and a
half miles Carol kept up with Burke,
Jogging along by his side and urging
him to a more strenuous pace. AS
Burke gradually fell behind the other
runners tears came to the boys eyes.
"Can't we catch UP with them?" he
asked.
"Who are you anyway" asked Burke.
"I'm nobody, but I just thought I
would pace you because / like you,"
said the boy.
AS the tenth mile was approached
Carol was forcibly removed to De-
witt Van Courts automobile, under
protest, and from the machine watched
the progress of his hero. When Ven
ice was reached and the feat accom-
plished by the boy became known Of
fers of all sorts of refreshments were
made to him.
Twin you have some watermelon,
Carroll? or ice cream? or pink lemon
ade?'
IT think could stand some lemon
ade," he said.
All offers to take the boy back to
Los Angeles in an automobile were
refused. 'I am going to run back"
he said. "Say. what is a Marathon
runner? Somebody said would be
one When grew up"
After devouring two big sandwiches
he was taken to his home.
Among those who offered their auto
mobiles for the use of the officials and
representatives of the press was
CONTINUED on Page Seven,