The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-03-24
SULLIVAN BACK FROM
COAST FULL OF NEWS
Tells Of Great Marathon Race
to Be Run as Feature Of
San Francisco Fair.
PLANS PROGRESS RAPIDLY
Quarter Mile Straightaway Is
Assured-IntcrnatiOnal
Relays on Card.

James E. Sullivan returned yesterday
afternoon from San Francisco, where he
has been for several weeks arranging for
the athletic events to be held as part Of
the Panama Pacific exposition. As d.
rector Of athletics Mr.. Sullivan has just
begun to shape his plans and among the
Interesting items talked Of for the nrst
time was a great Marathon race, which 10
scheduled Cor September rs, 1915. An at
tempt will be made to get the best long
distance runners in the world for this
event.. 1t Ia hoped that Macarthur and
0itsham. the two South Africans who fn-
ished first and second respectively In the
Marathon at Stockholm, will be among
the starters. They have expressed a de-
sire to compete In the exposition games
and the race as arranged will be sure to
suit them.
Mr. Sullivan took with him to the Coast
plans for the track on which the athletic
events will be decided He said yesterday
chat Director OF Works Connack had
agreed to begin work on the grounds and
that he Is now assured the track will
be one OF the fastest In the world. The
feature OF quarter OF a mile straight
away has been found feasible, and with
the best athletes In the world competing
some new records are bound 10 be made
under these favorable circumstances.
The Pacific Association Of the A. A. U.
and the Olympic Club are working to-
gether for the success OF the games.
President Humphreys of the Olympic Club
said that his organization would have q
big team for the championships. Further
than that the club will do all In its power
TO help the visiting athletes. As an evil
dence OF this the Olympic Club already
has signed a lease for two years occu-
pancy OF the oall park In the hart Of the
city. running track will be built there
and the inheld prepared so that all the
athletes will have a chance to train while
waiting for their events to be held.
In talking Of the meeting in general Mr..
sullivan said: THE programme already
arranged BY the exposition officials 10 the
most gigantic one ever attempted by any
exposition. association. country OF group.
There Is no doubt in my mind that the
total number OF competitors will exceed
BY far the total entries OF any Olympic
gsInts ever before held. At present 1t
looks as II from 900 to 10000 athletes
will take part in the different events. The
attractions are sufiicien, to induce entries
from every country OF an athletic nature.
Perhaps the most important event
viii be the modern pentathlon. which has
been awarded to the Panama Pacific ex-
position by the International Olympic
Committee. This event will be held In
America for the first time and the winner
viii receive the regular Olympic medal
Other International events promoted are
- swimming. wrestling. gymnastics and
boxing. while every branch Of amateur
athletics will be catered TO. There will
be special competitions for playground
boys. church boys. public schools. high
schools and collegians.
America leads the world In relay rae
ing and II Is my intention to secure from
the International Athletic Federation
special sanction for international events
OF this character As outlined at present
the distances will be 400 meters, 500
meters. l,Go0 meters and 5000 meters,
teams OF four men to compete. with each
man running quarter OF the distance.
II alsc Is proposed TO bring together the
strong men of the world in an all around
dumbbell competition and heavyweight
contest extending over two days
we expect that the competitions will
b OF the greatest benefit to America In
regard TO getting together a representative
team for the Olympics in Berlin in 1916.
While the Panama Pacific sports are on,
committees representing the governing
bodies OF the different sports will be on
hand and the work OF the men will be
watched closely. 10 that few mistakes are
likely 70 be made In picking the Olympic
team for 1916"