New-York tribune., 1909-03-07
RACE OF ALL NATIONS
READY FOR GRIND.
French and Yankee Teams FdUOr1tes
for Sir-Day Contest.

Twentv-seyen teams of pedestrians Will start on
their long 142-hour grind five minutes after MD
night tonight at Madison Square Garden. Inc men
comprising the teams have been selected from All
quarters OF the globe They will compete In the
first international six-day go-as-you-please team
rate ever held II! the United States, and the contest
promises to be interesting and hard fought
The recent revival in Marathon runa:ng is largely
responsible for the which starts Tonight
IGng distance running has been gradually growing
in favor during the last few years, and the I'M
provernent in the training systems mas oeen SO
marked that new worlds records are expected Tor
all distances after the first fifty miles The condl
tions governing the win be similar to those OF
the recent bicycle contest. Each man VIII run
twelve out Of every twenty-four hours. the con-
testants having privilege of relieving each other
any time during the contest. making II In reay
q six-day relay Interest however, VIII De sus
tained es one man OF each team will be on the
track all the time.
Cibot and Orphee. making up the French team
the favoTites amCng the foreigners, while Peter
Hegelman and Peter Golden. well known pedestrl-
ans In this country, looked as probable win
ners by the critics, of their experience IN
go-as-you-please races Mike Spring and Ed Adams
the New York pair are also looked on with favor
The Filipino team has been unable to understand
the necessity for training but the may furnish
a surprise. as they jog along if there was no
such thing feeling tired
Never before In the history Of long distance rae
ing have many champions from different coun-
tries been brought together. The nations repre-
sented In the race are the United States, Canada
England Ireland France, Italy Belgium. Holland.
Germany, Switzerland. Greece, Scotland, Wales
Cuba and the Philippine Islands In addition 10
these. the Indians will be represented by runners
from the Mohawk ard Sioux tribes. while the
United States army will have two of its best long
distance runners in the contest.
The European contestants arrived in New York
ten days ago and have been training since that
time on the Ocean Parkway. Brooklyn. Several OF
these men hold worlds records at distances from
100 to 800 miles They all in excellent condition
and feel none the worse for their long voyage
Their work since their arrival has excited consld-
eraple comment from students of athletic form
The American teams represent New York, chi
caso. Philadelphia Boston. New England. New
Jersey and other centres. Many OF these men have
had experience in long distance running while 9TH
ers have established enviable records IN amateur
competitions and will appear for the first time as
professionals.
The feature Of the contest from athletic stand
point is that It will differ from the odtme walk
ing matches and instead Of the affair being long.
unInteresting grind it will be replete with interest
due to fast work and a continual succession OF re-
lays
Prizes 70 the value Of 5000 have been offered By
the naanag cement the winning team receiving 1880
and the next seven teams proportionats amounts
Special money prizes will be offered for new recoros
The men will compete a specially prepared track
eigh:Aensfeet wide and built with layers of tanbark
Ioana and sawdust The track will be ten laps 10
the mile and will be certified 10 by qualified sur
veyors which will MAKE official any records estab-
nshed
Beginning with Tuesday night special match and
epen races among the best long distance men In the
country will be arranged. These races will be from
Ave to twenty miles.
The doors OF Madison Square Garden will be open
tonight at $50 O'Clock, and a concert by DAquins
Band OF fifty pieces win precede the race The
usual parade of all nations in the contest will take
place before the
The suIl list of competitors and the nations they
represent follows: