Semi-weekly herald., 1913-06-12
HARRINGTON WELCOMES
HER MARATHON RUNNER

athon race held IN Denvef laSt Deco-
ration day. The gathering was one
of the most enthusiastic and pictur-
esque witnessed here in many day. |
Mr.. Scott entered the race under
the most adverse conditions, and all
Denver went wild when the "man IN !
overalls," as they called him, because
he had not time to don running |
suit, made the exceptionally good
showing that he did.
The town was decorated with flags
for the homecoming reception, and
indeed it resembled very closely hol-
iday for fair. The school children
were on the scene in dray wagons and
autos which were gaily bedecked with
flowers. All the autos of the town
lined up for the occasion, as well as
a string of carriages and buggies, and
the plaza was crowded with people
eager to get glimpse of the return
ing "hero" who made so able rep
resentation for Pennington in the
race.
The band boys assembled in the
band band on the plaza, in front of
which the mayor of the town present.
ed the hero of the hour with an i'm
Inense bouquet of flowers in behalf
of the citizens, who desired to ex-
press their appreciation for Mr..
Scott's efforts.
The reception moved along very
nicely, as large committee of towns
people had been selected to look after
the program for the event. After
thanking the people for their show
of gratitude, Scott gave short talk
on his experience.
Mr. Scott's story of the experience
| follows:
81 have been interested in the Pla-
toro mining district in Colorado a
little, and l thought that this spring
| would go over there and see what
the prospects were. l saw notice in
the Denver News of the Marathon
race and thought l might go over and
take that in too, being as l had con-
siderable practice in running. So |
wrote for entry blanks in order to
learn of the requirements. l thought
that if l could fulfil the requirements
| | would enter. The sporting editor
of the News misunderstood my re-
| quest for blanks to be request for
entry. and so published it in the pa
rer. but forgot to enclose entry blank
| in his return letter. The boys saw
the announcement in the News and
asked me if l would go. l told them
/ would try, but would wait until l
saw what the requirements would be.
So telegraphed for the blanks, which
arrived just in time to give me time
to fill them out and have a physical
examination and start post haste for
| Denver
81 arrived in Denver forty-five min
utes before the time set for the start
| CT the race, stranger in strange
place. Making inquiries l found my
way to the News office and presented
by credentials, which were immediate
ly accepted. The van that was to
carry the racers out to Littleton was
standing in front of the office with
part of the runners on board, and l
had no time to get running suit,
running shoes, or an running regalia
together. So / climbed on the van
with the rest of them and arranged
mself after reaching our destination
as lightly as possible under the cir
cumstances in farmers running ap-
parel. which consisted of pair of
overalls and pair of heavy shoes.
"At the start of the race for the
first five miles found myself con-
siderably stiffened up from the long
i iide on the cars and remained in the
rear for the most Fart. Then | COM
nenced to feel better and get my wind
in good shape ard began overtak-
ing the runners one by one, until l
had gained fifth place when l en-
countered good runner who gave me
stiff race for nearly mile. Over
taking him finally, l started out in a
final sprint to overtake the leader,
and succeeded in passing the third
man almost at the finish, and would
say in conclusion that if | had been
in as good condition considering rest,
as some of the other racers, | would
have been very near first"
| After leaving Denver Mr.. Scott
rode as far as Antonito, and walked
AND ran the rest of the way to Farm
ngton, distance of some two hun
decd miles.
| Will Scott has been living out on
a homestead about seven miles out
from Pennington, and has been run
aing to and from his ranch, which
has put him in good condition for long
distpnce running. He has run in sew
eral races with Navajos here and
thinks nothing of running up to Aztec,
a distance of some twenty miles.
lie is planning to take in the race
next year, and promises us that he
will cross the line first.