The San Francisco call., 1908-07-25
.cnntlnued ION rage !. column :


minutes before the megaphone an
nounced The runners are in sight
guns had proclaimed the arrival of the
leaders at the nearest station Of the
course. an intense silence overhung
The stadium while the thousands
awaited breathlessly the approach of
the first man.
STAGGERED TO THE TRACK
For 10 minutes all eyes were focused
on the gate. almost directly opposite
The royal stand, where the contest
ants were 10 enter. Finally. aIter
WHAT seemed TO be an intolerable
suspense, a runner staggered down the
incline leading 10 the track. lie was
clothed in a white shirt and red knee
pants He stood for q moment as
though dazed and then turned TO the
left. although q red cord had been
drawn about the track in the oppo-
site direction for the runners to fol-
low il was evident also 10 every one
that the man was practically delirious.
A squad Of officials ran out and eX-
pOstulated with him. but apparently
he was afraid that they were trying
10 deceive him and fought 10 go on 10
the left. At length he turned back
and started in the right path along
the track Then followed an eXhibi-
tion never 10 be forgotten by those
who witnessed it.
The colOrs and the number told the
spectators that it was Dorando, and his
name was on every lip. He staggered
along the cinder path like man in q
dream. his gait being neither walk
nor run, but simply founder. but arms
shaking and legs tottering. BY devious
ways he went on. People had lost
thought of his nationality and parti-
sanship was forgotten. They rose In
their seats and saw the man clad iF
the red pants tOttering onward witt
his head so lowly bent forward that
the chin rested on his chest They
knew nothing about him, as he had no'
been mentioned among the probable
winners. but they recognized that hi!
struggle must have been terrific one
to bring him thus right 10 the thresh
old OF victory.
DorandO staggered on toward th'
turn and dropped TO the ground. Imme
diately a crowd of track officials anC
followers swarmed about him. 1t was
evident that the man. with undaunte,
courage. had run himself TO the yer!
limit Of endurance. None expected L
see him rise, for. haggard and drawn
he had fallen like a good soldier wheI
the last bit of vitality was exhausted
LIFTED TO HIS FEET
According to the rules OF the rae,
physicians should have taken him, but
the track officials. lost in their sym
pathy for such a man and for such al
effort. lifted him TO his feet and with
their hands at his back gave him sup.
port. Four times DOrando fell in the
800 yards that separated him from the
finish. and three times after the doctors
had poured stimulants down his throa
he was dragged to his feet and finall!
was pushed across the line with on,
man at his back and another holding
him by the arm.
His part in the race for all practica
purposes was ended when he entered
the stadium. for unless he received as
sistance he could not have finished
While this pathetic scene was being en-.
acted the American, Hayes. entered the
stadium comparatively fresh and trot.
ted around. He came in less than
minute behind DOrando. but in the ex.
element Of the moment failed TO ge
even from his own countrymen the re
ception he deserved.
It is a question whether public opin,
ion viii ever support another Marathon
race here. DOrandOs condition wheI
he finished and the condition Of many
Of the contestants in today's event leat
people 10 think it is worse than priz,
lighting or bull fighting.
The American athletes are sending
TO Italy their congratulations on Do
rando's magnificent fight for victory.
Happiness returned to the American
camp tonight. and the officials, athlete.
and everybody in any way connected