The Washington times., 1909-06-12

their influence In nerying the contest
ants TO the highest pitch
Go easy, boys. until YOU get TO Vans
vile HILL The roads are bad
This was the parting injunction of
the, trainers, for the officers of the
course who had arrived a little late in
their automobiles, had reported that four
miles of the course was in poor shape.
From Evansville Hi TO Washington the
course was described as being ideal,
hence the Instructions against over-tax-
ing ones strength over muddy road
beds and along soggy foot-paths.
Forge Ahead.
In the beginning. No. p, Harry Louis
Russell, of Johns Hopkins University,
Baltimore. and No. Sc. George z. Cox.
unattached, of Washington, took the
lead, pulling of getaway squirt in
fine shape. AT the end of the first fur
long these two had dist;nced their rivals
by about fifty yards. The entire sew
enty-stx then settled down TO q steady
jog until Nansville Hill should be
reached.
The autos bearing the course officials
and starters had difficulty in making the
last four miles between Evansville Hill
ana Laurel. Up 10 this time. however,
nothing but most favorable comments,
some of them of surprise had been
the course Gardner Orme's car was
the first 10 pull in after its tUSsle with
the mud underneath. The others ca me
in few moments later. and the hur-
ried preparations for the start of the
Marathon were begun.
Out To See Start
Everybody IN Laurel was up early.
and when the athletes reached that
place all the inspiration that a runner
might need was there. In the crowd
were many of the friends of the con-
testants from Washington and Balti-
more. and it was constant repetition
Of encouraging comments. and instruc-
tious. and advice.
Don't lose your nerve. kid
Take your time now, Jack Show
en- how we do il over in Baltimore
II guess the Wright boys haven't got
anything on us when it comes TO fly
these were some Of the terse views
handed out by an enthusiastic pro-
letariat. They came early. waited
patiently and stayed until the hind
most runner had disappeared over the
hill Then a lot Of them Jumped aboard
machines street cars and trains and
hot-foOted il 10 Washington 10 see the
great finish.
Rigid Examination.
Considering the rigid physical exami-
nation insisted upon by The Washing
ton Times and the Baltimore News. in
order TO prevent any possible collapses
along the route, the number Of entrants
considering also the voluntary with
drawals. vas gratifying All Of the
seventv-six men who toed the mark
seemed in the pink of condition, and the
medical examiners seemed TO have no
fear OF their inability to finish the race
OF OF any after effects
The advantages of the training
through which the entrants have gone
since the inception of the race was evil
dent al the outset knowing that four
mites OF bad roads faced them there
was no attempt on the part OF any run
neF. even of the two who forged ahead.
to OVeTdO in the first laps 10 individual
detrimeut at the finish. The run through
the streets of Laurel was an even.
steady stride that the entrants seemed
able 10 keep up indefinitely
Lineup At Laurel.
Laurel residents who did not 20
downtown to see the start lined their
front porches, the sidewalks, and picket
fences everywhere. From one end Of
entity but one theme Of conversation and
interest.
The lHtercity Marathon"
Similar interest was evinced all along
the route. Wherever a vantage point
was there also was a group Of enthused
spectators, shouting words of encour-
asRmert 20 those behind, cheering
Vociferously the runner i'm front Tire
nearer Washington and the goal was
reached, the more frenzied became the
tErongs. and when the city limits were
reached there wasn't a street corne.. or
block that didn't hold ITS quota of
Marathon-euJhused people
The condition of the roads made 90
ing difficult for the automobiles Of the
but interfeTred little with the
runners save on a stretch near Vans
vile HHL
Along both sides Of the road from
Be!Jsyiile TO College Park We're foot
paths where the runners, for the most
part. picked their way. From the start
lt was seen that the race was 10 re-
solve itself into q test Of judgment as
WCN as OF endurance. Several Of tho
men less experienced in the same f0uD-
ueTed I'm the mie. and H. was with diff
Gully that they We're pulled out
The maCadam road from BeltsEilIe to
College Park proved q boon for the mon
as mere tho going was scarcely affected
b. the recent rains. From College Park
10 RlVerdale there is q sandy soil that
was exceedingly heavy and proved
severe test on the men uo by this time
were we'll fagEed
From there the going was compare
lively easy, save for the hiiI encounter
ed just before reaching Langdon.
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