The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-10-17

Master Melvin Watkins. fourteen
Years old. oC Stouewall JacEso school.
was the hero OF his schoolmntes and
tho pride of the pupils of all the pub
lie schools of Richmond yesterday af-
tcrnoon. when lie finished first in the
l-2-inilc cross-city hike from the
Chinborazo School, in the East End.
10 the William FOX School, in the West
End OF the city. making tho distance
in - minutes flat.
Young Watkins started off with Il
steady stride and set the pace through
out the entire course, and crossed tho
rhalkline, going easy and free full
three minutes ahead OF Robert Sisson.
oC the Madison School, second and four
minutes ahead OF Bryan jennings, of
The Jefferson school. third.
Incidentally, Master Watkins is n
worlds champion, and the members of
The William Fox School team, which
won the team honors arc also world
heaters because yesterdays cross city
hike for the youngsters of the Rich
mond public schools was the first event
OF the kind ever held in the world.
Walkers Nude Good Time.
That the young walkers made good
timo is shown by comparison OF their
walk with Il street-car which left the
foot of Ch!moraZo ut thc time the
mixers hit the macadan for the Via
duct Though going over different
course, than the car, but all bound
Westward the young walkers held their
own with the street-car, because OH
cials, who started the boys. caught
tho car, and when they reached the
street where they left the car 10 pro
coed 10 William Fox School to Witness
the finish, they had to run TO the
schoolhouse in order to be on time to
check the walkers as they passed over
the chalk-line.
TO Out of $50 Finish the Course,
one hundred and eighty boys from
thirteen public schools OF Richmond
competed in tho hike, ana despite the
fact that thirteen" institutions We're
rcpresentod none Of the boys consid-
cred the hoodoo attached thereto and
entered into the competition with vim
and enthusiasm. OF the $50 starters,
40 registered at the finishing point.
and throughout the course there were
no violations of the rules laid down
TO govern the walk. which was given
under the auspices OF the Public
Schools Athletic association.
The 40 boys who finished all made
the course in less than one hours time.
and none were oVcreXertcd or harmed
~ their afternoons sport.
Wcmthcr Too Warm.
Tho weather was just a trne too
warm for tho walk, but as some OF the
toys appeared IN full running suits,
some with about half-running suits,
;iuO others attired in their street suits.
hey appeared not to ~ ind the weather
l.o- the jokes of their opponents, but
awaited almost breathlessly for the
starter to set them at their task
Starter q. II. Hill fred the pistol
promptly at $50 o'clock, and the walk =
ms, each with the name OF his school
and number on his back, got off
lightly ana quickly one littlo fellow
went around the corner at almost a
run. ana spectators who witnessed the
start expressed the opinion that he
would not hold UP for the four ana one
half miles. liut in this tlcy were
surprised, as were the spectators OF
The Times Dispatch Modified Marathon
run on Saturday. October ). when Iiite-
shew showed his heels 10 the other con
testants and crossed tho wire full i've
minutes ahead OF his opponents In
Nesterdays event IL was young wat
l;ins who set the pace, and a lively pace
II was. He maintained it jhrougnout
the course, swinging his arms freely
and planting lis feet lightly as he
treaded his way 10 the finishing point
and victory. Watkins was over the
line three minutes before the second
boy hove in sight.
Niaduct Free for walkers.
Arrangements had been perfected for
the walkers 10 cross the vladuct with
out interruption. and at the starting
point and all along the course crowds
were gathered to watch the bows. bu,
they kept the course clear, and as n,o
walkers passed given points they werc
given cheers Of encouragement
Watkins Finished Alone.
Assembled at william Fox school was
q large crowG, representing an Of the
schools OF the city, AND Incidentally