Los Angeles herald., 1908-12-30
ATHLETES READY
FOR MARATHON
RUNNERS FINISH HARD PERIOD
OF TRAINING
THIRTY MEN WILL COMPETE FOR
HERALD CUP
One of the Greatest Events in History
of the West to Be Contested
on New Years
Day

R6leS to venice on NEW lear . ud5s ~
the winner of this rt-breaking con-
test of endurance will be awarded the
handsome silver trophy cup presented
by the Los Angeles Herald. Ihrty
trained athletes, most veteran runners
men who have worked themselves
into the pink of physical condition, VIII
start from the Los Angeles Athletic
club at Sixth and Spring streets at
$3.50 on the morning of New Years
day for the run to Venice, seventeen
miles away.
Considering the large number of en-
tries for the race, the experience ana
well known ability of the runners
listed and the widespread interest
which the race has aroused through
out the west, the coming contest Will
be one of the most important Mara
thon races ever run in the United
States. And the records Will be ON
cial for the whole United States, per-
mission of the p. A. A. having been
secured. The official rules of that or
ganization will be in force. This fact,
coupled with the decision to throw
open the race to everyone qualnylng,
whether members of the Los angeles
Athletic club or not, accounts Tor the
large number of entries from cities
and towns outside of Los Angeles and
the presence in the ranks of the run
ners of men who have long held records
won in other important long distance
contests.
All in Readiness
Judges have been chosen, officials to
fill every need will be on hand, rules
have been posted and every possible
future contingency provided for, SO
that the big endurance test may be
pulled off without a hitch at any
point
The men themselves have been train
ing for weeks and months. They nave
reduced themselves to the finest point
of physical perfection. They nave
gone over the course of the race nu-
merous times, know everv condltion
which will confront them on the day
of the race, and practically every man
of them has carefully mapped out his
plan of running as carefully as a gen
eral would prepare for a battle. Each
man has tested his gait, knows just
how much he can stand and mas
planned just when he will begin ms
final sprint, If there is any sprint lett
in him.
OF course there viii be many sur
prises Many men have overestimated
their staying powers, and many VIII
become excited and change their
course of procedure when they see
other men sprinting ahead. The wise
runner will not pay much attention to
his opponents. He will know his own
forces so well that he will work out
the race like a machine. To indulge
in any sprinting contests during the
first part of the race will be mistake.
To delay too long the final sprint VIII
likewise be undesirable.
Each to Have Assistant
Each racer will be allowed one as
sistant who will follow him on a
wheel. These assistants must never
advance ahead of the runner, and
must never under any consideration
interfere with any other contestant.
IL 80 he q "a
thon there will be as many officials as
runners. Judges and timeleepers Will
be taken over the course in automo-
biles.
Nearly every one who has seen the
men at work has picked his winner ana
is backing him heavily. Ihere seems Is
to be no general favorite and money is
being placed on a number of likely
winners. Athletic club members gem
orally favor Charles Boscha, MEM
her of the club and winner of second
place in the last Marathon race. But
many club men are placing their
money on George Isaacs, the well
known athlete and captain of the VIC
forious boat crew of two seasons past
Isaacs has taken part in many differ
ent athletic events and has demon
strated that he has great staying
Most of the men will end training
today and rest until the race comes
off. A few men took light work yes
terday, running over part or the
course and back to the club or train
ing quarters Boscha is in splendid
condition and will undoubtedly give a
good account of himself against the
MANY more experienced runners who
Will compete against him. He did
light work yesterday and will rest to-
day and tomorrow.
Stanley Is Confident
William Stanley of San Francisco,
the winner of many long walking con-
tests, Is confident of winning place
IN the front rank 1t is rumored that
some people in San Francisco are plac-
ing odds on his winning. There are
others who think he will not be able
to keep up the pace, as most of his
work heretofore has been walking.
Entries are coming in up to the last
minute from men who have been con-
sidering the race for some time and
have been doing training with view
to entering. Everett Davis of Los
Angeles gave in his name yesterday
afternoon H. L. Becker of Coronado,
representing the San Diego Y. M. c.
A., made 1t definitely known yesterday
that he would enter the contest. He
has been training for two months.
Ed DIETRICH of the l.. A. A. c., win
ner of the last race, also handed in
his name last night. 1t has been
known that DIETRICH, who has been
systematically training, would enter,
and many believe that the former
champion will be able to cut down his
old record of 2:01:S0 by at least ten
minutes.
Speculation as to the record which
will be established on New Years day
varies considerably. 1t is generally
believed that the record of the first
race will be lowered, but Just how
much is a matter of great speculation.
Undoubtedly ten minutes will be
knocked oft the former record.
Y. M. c. A. Well Represented
The Los Angeles Y M. c. A. will be
we'll represented in the race by four
runners. The Los Angeles Athletic
club will have an equal number in the
contest There will be one representa-
tive, Schrag from the Pasadena Y M.
c. A. The remaining entries are prac-
tically individual.
Frank c. Rosenauer. champion of the
Turnverein, is backed by the Turner's,
who believe him sure winner, and
are said to have expressed their con-
fidence by substantial wagers.
Paul Reinwald, veteran of many
contests in this country and on the
continent, is a general favorite. He is
a native of Switzerland, where ne re-
ceived his first training, and he keeps
himself in condition for racing all the
year round. He has taken part in sew
eral contests in this part of California,
4 n