Los Angeles herald., 1908-09-16
PRESENT PRIZES
FOR LONG RACE
FORMAL CEREMONIES HELD
AT AUDITORIUM
JurIst Reviews History Of Greek and
= Modern Marathons and Then
Presents Trophies to
the Winners
eY HOWE WlLLIAMs

AS the curtain dropped on the final
act OF THE Pit" at the Auditorium
theater last night, Judge Albert Lee
Stephens stepped to the footlights and
presented the prizes to the victors in
the Marathon race from Los Angeles
to Venice last Admission day. It was
the last act of the first long distance
endurance race ever run in Southern
California. With the exception of a
few who had trains to make, the en-
tire audience remained to see the boys
who won in the great race receive their
rewards. Judge Stephens, who was In
trodnced by Lou Guernsey gave a brief
outline OF the race and recalled the
great Greek Marathons which were
features OF the athletic contests sew
eral centuries before the Christian era
and from which the modern Marathon
Is derived. Judge Stevens said:
1T was one of the rules of the Greek
Marathon that all participants should
train for at least ten months before
entering. Another of their rules was
that the races should be conducted with
the utmost fairness and honor and
thus the man who won was sure to
have deserved his success The very
highest point of physical condition was
necessary to success in the race and
the Marathan and other athletic con-
tests contributed to a large extent to-
ward the physical beauty Of the Greeks
preserved in tho statuary to be seen
today.
"a young man who runs q Marathon
race today cannot have weak lungs or
tobacco heart. Smoke-filled lungs
would never carry man over the six
teen-mile course. The man who won
this great race never touches stimu-
lants of any sort and does not use to-
baccO.
Besides the requirement of a per-
nh t6n NH,
is to win a Marathon race must have
one other requisite. AS John Hayes,
the winner of the Marathon at the
Olympic games, said, "A man without
courage will never win the race. 1t
takes courage to drive on the tired
muscles worn out to the point of ex-
haustion and keep them in action till
the tape is reached.
"The first prize In this race Is the
beautiful cup donated by the Los An
geles Herald. 1t has to be won three
times in succession before 1t becomes
the property of any one. The next
race will be held New Years day, and
will be open to all. Already one hum
dred applicants for this contest have
been received and the future success
of the Southern California Marathon
is assured"
Judge Stephens then called to the
stage Harold Bailey 4 years old, who
has been q lopted as the official mas
cot Of the Los Angeles Athletic club.
In the race to Venice Harold, barefoot
ed and hatless, ran ten miles, pacing Z. ]
L. Burke that distance.
The first man called to the stage
was r. L. Burke, who won sixth prize.
With few appropriate remarks from
Judge Stephens a, fine razor was pre-
sented him. A thermos bottle In a
leather case was presented to Joe PEN
ga as fifth prize.
When Chester Lawrence stepped be-
fore the footlights to receive the
fourth prize he was greeted with a
small ovation in recognition not only
OF his ability as a Marathon RUNNER
but also for the untiring energy he
displayed in getting up the race and
carrying 1t to a successful conclusion.
He received a set Of shaving materials
'presented by w. H. Hoegee.
A fine white sweater with the en-
blem Of the Los Angeles Athletic club
embroidered on it was the third prize
which went to George Retzer, and the
second prize won by Charles Brocha
second prize won by Charles Boscha
was q handsome signet ring, presented !