The Washington times., 1909-05-17
Athletes Take Advantage of
Weather to Do Road
Work.
SEVERAL GO OVER
ROUTE TO LAUREL
Scorers and Balance of the OFF,
Gals Will Be Selected
This Week.

The megaphone men of the sightsee-
ing automobiles have been compelled to
make an addition TO their list of points
of interest"
A big red wagon. crowded with pas
sengers, turned into the Monument
grounds yesterday and came face to
face with ten stslwart athletes trailing
along in a swinging gait. The sight
seers lost interest IN the public build
ings and interrupted the spiel to ask
what was up.
ION your left and on your right and
all around you, ladies and gentlemen"
piped the megaphone man, you viii
see WashingtOn's premier athletes
5Taioi1 1g 70 for the intereity Marathon on
Many in Training.
And they were all out yesterday. In
the Mall, at the Soldiers Home grounds.
in Geological park, and at Mt. Pleasant
were seen men in running costume TAX
ing their daily spin to get IN condition
Tor The Times-News event.
The weather for the last week has
been ideal for training. 1t has been
warm, but that did not matter SO
Sunday the majority OF the athletes
have been running in the evening
Almost any evening between I'VE and
seven the speedway is dotted with than.
ilege granted by DR.. Hudson to use
the bath house Of the bathing beach
and DO their daily stunts along the
cool speedway.
er favorite training place. The roads
in that vicinity are not too hard but
are free from stones and make an
ideal running path. Men from the
Bloomingdale and Gurley Clubs are
working there.
Try Laurel Road.
Yesterday a number Of unattached en-
trants took a trial run along the road
20 Laurel, the route of the race on
June 70. They found the conditions as
Burke had pointed out The roads are
sandy in spots and rocky in others,
but all along the line there is good
footpath and If the runner Will pick
his way there should be no difficulty
on this score.
While the athletes are busilv training
for the event the officials VIII be equally
so. A meeting will be held in the office
of the Washington Times this week
to arrange the final details Of scoring
and other rules.
Today an automobile with represen-
tatives OF The Times viii go over the
route again to measure II exactly and
mark on the mile points where check
ers will be stationed. Photographs OF
strstches Of the road and Of points
along the route, taken on the last trip
and more 70 De taken lpQdyf VIII Dc
published this week TO give entrants a
clear idea Of the course.
The men who made the trial runs over
the course yesterday are enthusiastic.
Likes the Route.
1T hardly see how a better route for
a Marathon could have been chosen"
said one runner. Its hills are not too
steep. They are arduous enough to af-
ford good sport without putting an IN
due strain on the competitors. The road
IS bad enough 20 compel the runners
20 use headwork and pick their way,
not rough enough to injure their feet
II they look where they are going.
But what appeals to me most about
your course" he continued. els its sim
plicity- There is not a chance Of get
ting lost All the contestants have to
do is to forge straight ahead and pay
no attention to anything but their
schedule. There is no circuitous wind
ing among misleading cross roads. Even
when the runners get into the city
they. could not go wrong. This is, to
my mind, the best feature Of your
race"