The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-10-17

MEL YIN WATKINS WINS
FIRST CROSS-C7TY WALK
JOHN FOX SCHOOL TAKES TEAM
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES FIN
IsH IN GOOD CONDITION.

Melvin Watkins, aged fourteen. of
the Stonewall Jackson schoolh walked
from the Chimbarazo school across
town to the John Fox school yester-
day afternoon with 1853 other young
mixers trailing along behind him in
Just exactly As minutes and by doing
SO won first place in the cross city
walk.
Close upon his heels at the finish
were Robert Sisson, of the Madison
school team, and Bryan Jennings. of
the Jefferson school squad, who fin
ished second and third. respectively.
The team trophey was taken by the
John Fox school, Stonewall Jackson
having the second largest number of
entrants to finish first.
Little Melvin Watkins clearly out
classed the other contestants and won
with apparent ease. He took the lead
soon after the start of the race and
held it, with the exception OF short
distances at intervals. throughout.
John Fox took the team trophey by
sticking together and by giving con-
sistent encouragement to one another
as well as by steady walking.
Success in Every Way.
The cross-city walk. which is the
fret event Of It's kind ever staged in
Richmond was undoubtedly one of
put forth here. II was held under the
personal supervision of L. Tucker
Jones director in charge of athletics
in the public schools. He trained the
teams for the event and the success
OF his efforts is attested by the fact
that out of the $50 youngsters who
faced the starters at $3.50 yesterday
afternoon ITO registered at the tape,
The ten who dropped out were all in
excellent physical condition but they
were distanced by the faster walkers
and left the race because they thought
they we're hopeiessly outciassed
Along the route of the walk con-
siderable interest was manifested In
the mixers and number OF young
rooters trotted along with their school
representatives, urging them to
greater efforts and every now and
then stopping to cheer as one or
another of the men from other schools
was passed.
Hundreds OF persons along the
route of the walk watched the young
sters and traffic along the main streets
was stopped to allow them to pass
that their time might not be length
ened.
All Finished In Good Shape.
Particular pains were taken by
those In charge to see that none of the
boys overdid themselves and prtnci-
pals of the several schools were sta
toned at intervals to keep watchful
eye on their condition at the different
stages of the long walk. DR. n. T.
Emmett. the school physician, was also
on hand 10 aid should his services
save been required. However, each Of
ne lads appeared In the best of con-
f'tfen at the finish and all seemed 10
enjoy the competition OF the walk.
Only scholars OF the various dis
set schools Of Richmond were eligi-
zig for the competition and every
rramnar school in the city had In
fi9iduals or a team entered. The route
g estimated TO have been something
over 1--WE miles, transversinE the prin-
cipal streets of the city from the ex-
trene east end TO the school farther
est west. Most OF the boys were un-
der fifteen years of age and the rec
ord OF as minutes for the distance liz
considered unusually good time.
The schools having entries in the
walk were: Cary, Chimhorazo, Madi-
son. jefferson. Fox. Randolph. Fair
mount, Bellevue. Elba, Powhatan,
RufYner. and Springfield.
Officials Of the race were as fol-
lows. DIR. j. A. G Chandler. referee,
assistant superintendent A. H, Hill.
starter; L. r. Jones. director; DIR. y.
r. Emmett. physician; William Blakey,
II. r. Tompkins. clerks Of the course.
Messrs Graves. Cowardin. Dirty and
Metcalf. PAGERS: ], T. Fentress and T.
s. Tousey, timers; c, II. Dunnaway. A.
Metcalf. J. s. Saunders, T. d. Car
Magic. Judges OF the finish.