The Washington herald., 1909-05-08
MODERN VARIATIONS
By FREDERIC J. HASKIN
By FREDERIC ]. HASKIN.

abstain entirely from alcoholic liquors
and tobacco, there are, nevertheless. sew
ersl Of the most prominent Marathon
stars who drink and even smoke while
in training. claiming that these. IN a
way. prevent one from becoming over
trained.
Perhaps the oldest OF the annual Mara
thons in this country Is the one that has
been conducted for the past eleven years
under the auspices of the Boston Ath-
Ietic Association It IS conceded the title
Of american Marathon. and is viewed
each year by thousands who line the
course from beginning TO end The craze
has also extended to the navy. where sew
eral races have been run around the
decks OF Uncle Sans men-Of-war.
Since the London meet several Of the
competitors in that race have met in
match contests. and the crowds that have
attended these events show beyond a
doubt that interest III the sport Is IN no
manner restricted 10 those who are able
TO actually participate. OF these post
Marathons the one that attracted the
widest interest was the $1,000 Derby
which was held in the Polo Grounds New
York last month. which attracted about
3eGo0 spectators. IN this the first prize
went 70 Henri St Yves. a Frenchman.
who was supposed 20 be completely out
clsssed by the formidable field that in
cluded such men as Hayes. Of America;
Dorando. the Italian. and Lsongboat, the
Indian From the outset St Yves set
terrific pace and literally ran his op-
% hi
eral margin. From q financial point Of
view this race was one OF the most sue
cessful field and track affairs ever held
in this country
One q the peculiar features OF Nara
thon running is that the cleverest men
in the sport do not seem 20 suffer from
overparticiPation, a tendency that must
be closely guarded against in other ath-
ieJic activities. Dorando has been in this
country since early last fall. and in that
time he has on different occasions com
peted against the best available talent in
cities IN all sections Despite the strain.
he has given little indication Of going
stale" but on the othe= hand. seems
10 improve in each successive perform
ance. Hayes. tco, has given many exhi-
bitions. and has run several matcn races
with first-class men. including Longbost
the Indian. who was one OF the most
prominent participants IN the stadium
tourney
While Hayes has accumulated cousid-
cradle money as the result Of his victory
in London, il IS said on good authority
that DCTandO has made more tnan S3993
since he reached these shores several
months ago-quite harvest for a former
pastry baker IN a small town IN the
northern part OF Italy.
There IS a diversity OF opinion amors
medical authorities as TO the probable
effect OF running Marathon races. The
unanimity OF opinion Is that the sport
among undeveIoped schoolboys or other
youngsters should be controlled 50 as not
10 allow the unframed 10 run in such
way as 70 make IL too strenuous and re-
suit in permanent injury For centuries
walking and running IN the open air have
been considered healthful. but when the
distance has become TOO long and the
strain too severe. IL has proved dangerous.
as has been shown by heart failure and
even death among the runners Among
trainers and even physicians who have
had opportunities 10 observe the cOnCi
ton Of young boys the feeling IS that
long races, Of distance exceeding a mile.
should be avoided
But for the thoroughly conditioned ath-
Iete, Marathons are not considered harm
ful, and the present popularity Of the
sport not only promises to become perma-
nent but should result in the develop
ment Of long distance runners who viii
be able 10 oUtclass the runners Of other
countries Among trainers and other close
followers Of amateur, and even prOfes-
si0nal running. there Is 4 feeling that
the Marathon has come 70 stay.
Copyright, 800 by Frudeic J. Haskin)
TO-mOrrow-The PrOd1ctiOn of Po-