The San Francisco call., 1909-03-28
CONNOLLY 0UTRUNS
OPPONENTS In
MARATHON
Greaf Irish Distance Man
Shows the Class Over
Miller and StanIay

Running at an even, steady clip and
apparently as fresh as when he started
Con Connolly. the famous Irish distance
man. finished the Marathon race al the
Auditorium last night in the fast time
OF 3 hours and IS seconds At the
finish Connolly was more than six miles
ahead OF his nearest competitor. vii
liam Stanlay. the Dane, who led Charles
Miller Of Los Angeles by a mile,
Connolly sprinted the last mile. and
when he crossed the tape he was given
r great ovation by the big crowd. He
came down the home stretch like 100
yard runner and was Immediately lifted
up by several OF his friends and car
ried in triumph to his dressing room
stanlay was barely hobbIing along ap-
parently all IN, and Miller was even
IN worse condition. Both men were
forced 70 quit the track IN the nine
teenth mile. Connolly never faltered
once.
MfIler's showing was 3 bitter disap-
polntment after the wonderful race he
ran against Soldier King last month
Early IN the race he complained OF i'll
ness and left the track four times dur
ing its progress. Stanlay was forced
20 take oxygen on several occasions.
And while this helped him along for
time, II proved no equal to the natural
strength and endurance powers dis
played by the brawny Irishman.
Connolly took the lead at the outset,
and once he got into his stride there
was little doubt as TO who would romp
home the winner The great Irish
runner ran his usual steady. consistent
race. and the farther he went the bet
ter he looked. The others tried time
and time again TO wear him down. but
they never stood a chance.
For the first five miles Connolly went
5ust fast enough 10 keep well in the
lead and Il did not look as though he
would let himself out, but along IN the
seventh and eighth lie put on q fun head
Of steam and the big crowd cheered
itself hOarse. 1t began 10 look then
as though Connolly had really awalS-
ened 10 the task before him and was
out for 3 record.
When the twelfth mile had been
reelsd OF Connolly was within one
minute and r half OF Dorando's indoor
record. and every indication was that
he would beat the Italians time sure.
But there was another switch in the
thirteenth and fourteenth. the Celtic
runner elackening up again as he was
TWO miles ahead OF Miller and running
easily.
Connolly never seemed TO tire. He
was apparently in perfect condition and
cid not pay the slightest heed to the
crowd the officials or his opponents.
I5e was the class OF the bunch. and
there was no mistaking this once the
race had progressed far enough TO give
the spectators a line on the field. 1t
was like stake horse in against a
pair OF platers.
stanlay. who mana ged TO keep ahead
Of Miller up 10 the twelfth mile. was
suddenly overcome at this stage and
his trainers removed him to his dress
ing room. They shot a few jolts Of
oxygen into their man. wap came back
and ran like greyhound who had just
been fed a brand new speed ball. But
this stuff only lasted for mile, when
the Dane had 10 rest again.
In the meantime Miller began to
show signs Of fatigue and at the close
of the fourteenth mile he was forced TO
rest lie braced up quickly, however,
and went 81 the grind again. but after
running another mile he was overcome
for the second time and sought an
other rest, going for two miles. after
which he left the track for the third
time
The race was witnessed by big
crowd, and everybody seemed to be full
or enthusiasm. The Irish sports were
there to cheer for Connolly, while Mil
Ter was well supported by the Germans
and Stsnlay by the Danes. The prog
ress Of the three runners was closely
watched by the crowd Hundreds Of
fair rooters were there to cheer their
fsvorite runners on.
Just as he had completed the TWEEN
tieth mile Stanley began TO stagger and
totter and the promoters Of the race
requested him TO leave the track. as he
was not sn physical condition TO finish.
Stanley obeyed the request Miller
failed to return after leaving in the
nineteenth mile.