New-York tribune., 1909-03-14
WHITE BEATS SWEDE
ACCIDENT MARS RACE.
RACE.
SUanberg Falls in Last Lap of Hard
Fought Struggle.

A, sociden+ IN the last lap of the final mile gave
Pat White, the Irish long-distance champion tne
victory in his ten-ule match race last night Win
John V Svanberg the Swedish runner. at Madison
souare Garden At the Fourth avenue and 26th
street turn Svanberg stumbled and fell, and When
he picked himself UP White was out in front ana
the race was lost and won. The time was OF MIN
utes II 2-5 seconds The race was for purse of
1900
The final mile was an eventful White turned
into # in the lead with the Swede single stride
behind him. Both men were running strongly. ana
both appeared TO have plenty in reserve foT the
final sprint This relative position was maintained
during the mile until the last quarter OF the ninth
Ian Here Svanberg heightened out his stride, and
IN the twinkling eye on even terms with
the man from the land Of the shamrock announcer
moment and the Swede was in the LEAD.
The spectators were their feet yelling ana
cheering. for the determining sprint on. and
tbev knew it. Whites friends, who were largely
in the majority. implored him tc come on and get
him White responded tc the best OF his ability
and the race was still in doubt, when Svanberg
stumbled and went sprawiing- There were cries
of Foul but none was apparent. and Tim Hurst
the referee, was not called on to entertain COM
plaint After getting his feet Svanberg pluckily
finished the
The race was added attraction 10 the finish OF
the six-day race. Both men were Justify cheered
when they logged upon the track by crowd
numbering four thousand persons. After little
warming up coin tossed. White called the
turn and drew the pole.
Both men hit up a lively pace at the start, with
White in the lead and Svanberg stride behind
The latter then put speed, and, passing White
opened I'D lead of fifty feet. After the sixth lap
the IrIshman hit up the pace, and in turn took the
lead The time for the first mile was $40 i-5
The second and third miles were also done in
quick time. Both men stuck closely together and
ar no time was either over five yards ahead OF the
other The lead alternated from time TO time, but
Svanberg led at the end OF each of these two miles
The Irishman brought his numerous sdherents 10
their feet by shooting into the lead about the mid
die Of the fourth mile. He held the lead through
the fourth and fifth miles, and many OF the spec
tators thought he had his mans measure.
Svanberg had plenty Of strength left. however
and showed it in tie next mile by taking the lead
himself after his repeated challenges had led 10
several lively brushes The Swede passed under
tbe tape at the end of seventh mile about three
wards in front. tn eighth mile was an exciting
one White pulled up to within a stride OF swan
berg and several times 1t seemed as II he would
take the lead but his opponent sent cold cmlis OF
doubt down the backs Of the loyal sons Of Erin by
always having enough speed TO hold his place
After three laps Of the ninth mile had been run
White challenged. but unable 10 pass Svsnberg.
On the next lap. however he jumped into the lead,
and there was wild applause. Just here IT seemed
that the Swede had shot his bolt, for White soon
opened Up gap of Hve or six yards. BY deter
mined effort however Svanberg slowly almost by
inches closed UP this gap and hung to Whites
shoulders.
Then in the next to the final lap he started his
snrint and shot ahead Of his man, only TO lose
has been told The race was one Of the hardest
fought that has yet been seen at the Garden.
The summary follows: