Evening star., 1912-07-15
MARATHON Is WON
BY SOUTH AFRICAN;
AMERICAN THIRD

Fully 10000 spectators, a third Of
whom managed somehow to squeeze into
the stadium, saw at least some part Of
yesterdays marathon, the crowning event
Of the Olympic games
At the outset let II be said that those
who came for blood were disappointed,
for 1t was the most uninteresting race
OF its kind ever run, being robbed of its
dramatic halo. as 1t was feared it would
be, by the start being made in the sta
dunn. This Is not saying there was any
lack Of excitement or enthusiasm. for
never was such a roar of welcome heard
as that which greeted K. Macarthur, the
South African. who. by the way. Is
stalwart son Of old Ireland, on his re-
turn to the stadium. exactly hours, SO
minutes and 81 As seconds after the
start.
Macarthur reached the tape $50 meters
away from the entrance before a second
fanfare announced the coming Of another
South African, this time slip OF man
built like Johnny Hayes. He was c. w.
Gitshaw. who for q major part OF the
return journey led the field. but who aft
erward declared he lost the race through
stopping to get drink OF water at the
last control station.
In Front Of Kings Box.
The finishing tape was fixed Immediate
ly opposite the kings box, which contain
ed whole host OF notables. including the
king and queen, the crown princess and
several other members OF royalty The
only dramatic incident at the finish was
when, as Macarthur was hah way round
the track, an official dropped large lau-
rel wreath over his head, which caused
him to slow up and dance with delight.
Then he gained the finish with quite
sprint.
Passing the tape. Macarthur dropped on
the grass. while hundreds of officials ran
to congratulate him. In a few minutes he
and Gitshaw had practically recovered.
and both were carried from the track by
delighted friends.
Following Gitshaws arrival, the sur
prise of the race occurred. A little fellow
came in view at the gates Of the stadium.
and a second later the American contin-
gent recognized him, and then rousing
cheer went up. The third man home and
the first American was CASTOR Strobino
Of the Paterson Athletic Club.
Time of the Race.
The times as announced were:
Macarthur, 2 hours 36 minutes; Gitshaw,
hours 81 minutes 80 seconds: Strobino,
hours 3s minutes AZ % seconds.
The Americans certainly gave death
blow to the theory that the athletes Of
the United States are better at contests
which require quickness and agiliy than
In tests of endurance. While $1,000 spec
tators. who We're grilled on the stadium
seats. strained their eyes toward the
archway from under which the runners
emerged. they saw the American shield
on the breasts of six of the first ten men
who entered. The names of this roll Of
honor are Strobino. Andrew Sockalexis.
Old Town Me-: John ]. Gallagher, Yale
University: Joseph Erexleben, Missouri
A. c.: Richard F. Piggott North Dor
chester A. c., and Joseph Forshaw,
Missouri A. c. The American team num-
bered twelve, and ten finished. The last
or these was Thomas H. Lilley, North
Dorchester A. c.. who finished eighteenth.
Two Americans fell by the wayside-
Michael ]. Ryan OF the Irish-American
A. c.. who made good run fr nineteen