The Washington times., 1909-06-12

sociation sports in any city OF this
James O'shea. experienced not only in
general athletics, but in the running of
a Marathon.
Or. W. d. Hudson, an athletic in
structor in the Washington High
W. @ Thacher. one of the best known
athletic officials in this community, and
nearly score more, almost as well
known as these men IN the athletic an %
nails Of This section.
The conduct OF successful athletic
meets has been achieved by a very few
and the running of a marathon is. if
anything. more Of an undertaking.
Only through the cooperation Of
these officials and the prestige Of two
great newspapers could the interCity
marathon of today have been run and
The Times, in saying this, is not boast
full IL taxes to itself the credit of con-
ceiving the idea and is anxious to con-
cede to the officials, the cooperation of
tial service of auto ow lers the glory OF
arranging one of the mj st smoothly run
athletic events ever held in this section.
Some of Work Done.
Some idea of the magnitude of the
undertaking can be gained from the ar
ransements to keep the road clear on
the day of the run. The system of
checkers was worked ou- with a view OF
protecting runners from injury at train
crossings, Of keeping them in the road,
of fOrestaiing any possibility of unfair
advantages and Of keeping an accurate
record of each competitor.
Dressing ng-rOCms at Laurel and baths
in Washington after the finish had to
be provided Arrangements were made
for the two special cars that carried
/ the entrants and their attendants to
Laurel. Through the courtesy Of Major
Sylvester, mounted police were assigned
TO duty along Pennsylvania avenue and
other officers were placed in autOmO-
| oiles and on foot at points where they
We're needed to keep the course clear.
General Commendation was expressed
( today at the excellent protection af-
forded runners along the course Auto
mobile owners co-operated with the Of
hcials IN keeping the roads clear and
COntenders did not have TO face the dust
and smoke from the machines, a feature
which has frequently marred cross
country rUns.
From the time the first man crossed
/ the tape unul the last man pulled in,
an automobile was bUsy in carrying
runners from the Muhsey building to
the bath houses provided for their ac-
CommOdatiOu. Here their clothes had
been brought by special autos provided
by The Times.
Aided In Training.
Not only did The Times provide for
the actual running o. the race, but made
Q
successful training of athletes for tho
event.
Il brought Tom Burke. twice a mem
Der OF the Olympic team at Athens and
an official in practically every New
England Marathon that has been run,
10 Washington. He gave a series Of lee
, lures on training, which We're largely
attended by entrants and his daily let
Jers. running for nearly two weeks, at
tracted wide attention. BuTke's ideas
a gDuftfE frTFfUp~ EFhiGfaF I4r.e
have been justified time aud time again.
not only by his own pert 1rmances, but
Dv the records OF men he nas trained
The Marathon this year was under
taken as a tentative project but before
the announcement was one week old
the plan grew TO bigger proportions than
its prOpOSers had dared hope. The num-
her of runners first set for a goal was
4 twenty-five entrants from each CITY
| Three days after the blanks were issued
this many entries had been received,
and the number increased steadily until
IL passed the century mark.