The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1913-02-19
TRACK EVENTS in THE
/, COUNTY SCHOOL FA|E

The Advertiser quotes below a num-
ber of excellent hints on the various
track events that will be a part of the
County School Fair to be held in
Laurens on April 18th. A careful
study Of these suggestions will be
great help, especially to the begin
ners.
100-Yard Dash
THE start Is the important part of
the 1O0-yard dash. The officials
should carefully mark off the start
Ing line, and the Clerk OF the Course
should assign the runners to their
positions. The contestant should then
take stick or some sharp pointed
instrument and dig hole about eight
inches from the line, the back of
which should be perpendicular, so
the left foot can rest in it, step in
this mark and bring the right knee
to the instep of the foot, and then
dig mark where the right foot
Il
good footing and something to push
against to get quick start At the
command: "On your marks" place
the feet in the marks and rest on the
bended knee; upon the order: Get
set" straighten the knee somewhat
and push the weight forward as far
as possible upon the hands which
are placed on the line Wait for the
report of the gun; when it is fired,
push hard with the feet and hands,
swinging the back foot forward with
snap and Immediately get into the
stride. Do not straighten up or try
to leap from the marks. One should
run for 10 or 10 yards before he is
in an upright position. When run
ner is set" his head should be up,
and his eyes on the course ahead.
Breathe only twice during the dash,
once at the start and again at the
5O-yard mark. Do not stop running
abruptly, as it causes painful mus
cells, called Charley Horse"
220-Yard Dash.
AS in the 100-yard dash, the start
is the most important feature, and
should be gotten down to a science.
The 22O-yard dash requires more en-
durance than the shorter dashes.
The pace is almost equal to that OF
the 100 yards, and should be main
tanned. Some runners prefer to hold
back little speed for the final effort.
This is not bad plan if the runner
does not get too far behind.
Low Hurdles
(120 yards and 220 yards)
In the 120-yard low-hurdle race
ten hurdles should be used; height
of hurdle, 80 inches. The hurdles
should be placed ten yards apart,
with the first hurdle Is yards from
the starting point, and the last hur-
die 10 yards from the finishing line
In the 220-yard hurdle race, ten hur-
dies should be used; height of hurdle
"a inches. The hurdles should be
placed 20 yards apart, with the first
hurdle 20 yards from the starting
mark, and the last hurdle 20 yards
from the finishing line.
Low hurdles can be made as fol-
lows: Select two pieces of timber 2
inches by l inch and six inches long;
to those, nail two 1-inch boards, 2
inches wide and "a inches long, then
nail strips across the top and bottom.
The accompanying cut shows how
this is done.
AS In many athletic events, form is
Of great Importance. In clearing
hurdle, the body should not be raised
over the cross piece any more than
is possible. The rear leg and foot
should be in position ready to swing
forward into the stride, as soon as
the front foot touches the ground in
the far side. If the spring is made
off the right foot. the body is turned
slightly to the right, and vice versa.
Beginner should work only one hur-
die, taking the start the same as in
the 100-yard dash and learn to ap-
proach the hurdle at top speed clear
ing the same in the stride, with as
little glide as possible, rather a quick,