The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-06-13
By THOMAS S. RICE.

Intercity competitions in long-dis-
lance running between the athletes Of
Washington and Baltimore are now
fixture.
The impetus given this most health
ful Of all sports by the splendidly sue
cessful Marathon" race from Laurel
TO Washington yesterday. under the
auspices of The Washington Times and
the Baltimore News. cannot die out in
one burst Of enthusiasm. 1t IS founded
on the filling Of a great vacancy in the
pastimes not only of the two cities di-
reetly interested, bur in the athletics Of
almost the entire South
Vigorous and protracted open air
sports have had more 10 do with the
development OF the English speaking
races and the fitting Of them for the
conquest Of new worlds than has been
estimated by any historian or phil
osepher with whom the writer is IA
niliar. They have been the mainsprings
not only Of the hardy bodies, but the
love Of liberty and much OF the moral
restraint which have been characters
tic OF the American pioneers in the
wilderness and In trade. And the in
herent qualities OF mind and matter
fostered by these sports are not to be
lost in one or two generations
Supplied the Incentive
Systematic competition in distance
running on a large scale has been OF
rather recent origin in this country,
but the instinct for this most valuable
Ct the outdoor pasumes has come per-
Eistently 10 the front in the formation
of the numerous clubs of barriers" in
England and Ireland, and the cross
country clubs in America. Especially
in the north OF the United States has
the popularity Of such organizations
grown, and the sole reason WHY they
did not rise and flourish in Maryland
the District Of Columbia. Virginia. and
other States with suitable climates was
the lack of an initiative impulse and
a constant incentive
Both have now been supplied by what
viii undoubtedly be permanent events
inteTclty races between Baltimore and
Washington From year TO year the
athlete will have a definite object for
which 20 train, with the knowledge that
his cumulative experience VIII not only
be Of great importance in future events,
but that even II he should never be
among the winners, he has figured IN
an enterprise Of more than ordinary
moment, ana LudL ne mas been benefit
ed physically and mentally by his more
or less ardoUs preparation.
Shining like a beacon light in the
aftermath of comparisons. anecdotes,
and individual trials in the great Times
News race stands the fact that the
GsRain did not nave a serious OF
deleterious effect upon the starters out
OF seventy-nine VINO entered upon
the jog Of approximately twenty miles,
siXty-one finished OF the eight cen
who failed 10 cross the line one-HOw-
ard G, Butcher, list Coast Artillery-was
run down by a bicycle, and. while Jared
sufficiently 10 halt his mad career
toward medals and glory. was not in
jured worth mentioning except in his
pride and hopes The remaining seven
teen suffered from minor complaints
such as blistered feet. or temporary
exhaustion, and are as spry as spring
chickens.
Examination Was Rigid.
Warned By the brutality OF many Of
the amateur marathon" races held
under ether auspices. The Times and
The News Insisted upon a most rigid
medical examination. and when there