New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-02-07
Goulding, the Canadian
Walking Champion, Is
in a Class by
Himself.
By ABEL X. KIVIAT.
One mile national champion.)


Away back in June, 1910, group OF
Metropolitan Association athletes jour
neyed to Toronto, Canada, to compete
In the Eaton A. A. games, held on the
Toronto baseball grounds. 1t was
about 80 degrees in New York City, but
in Toronto the temperature was 80
degrees above zero. Some change.
None of the athletes had an overcoat.
Upon arrival for the game, all imme-
diately bought overcoats and heavy
coat sweaters.
The American athletes were Mel
Sheppard, Billy PAUL, Harry Gissing,
Bob Cloughen and the writer, accom-
panied by Lawson Robertson, the |. A.
A. c. athletic coach. Shep, Gissing,
PAUL and the writer were entered in
a one-mile special against Jack TAFT,
the Canadian champion. Shep won the
race. Cloughen beat Bob Kerr in both
scratch 900" and 1900"
1t was the good fortune of this group
to be the first American athletes 10 see
George Goulding in action. He was
entered in the one-mile walk. No other
names appeared on the programme.
The other Canadian walkers said that
they had no chance against Goulding,
so what was the use of paying good
money to take q beating. Prior to this
race, very few people knew of him.
In the United States he was unknown
except for his two performances in the
Olympic games in London in 1908,
which didn't attract attention. Not to
disappoint the people, Goulding con-
sented % walk mile against three
compe >>A-s. He did minutes 25 As
seconds, a new worlds record. The old
record, made by G.. +. Larner in 1904,
was 6 minutes 26 seconds.
We all came back with a wonderful
tale of George Goulding's one-mile
walk. The New York newspaper men
were from Missouri" That same year
Goulding established new Canadian
records from one up to ten miles. In
doors his one, two, three and four
mile records are better than any pre-
vious American records for same dis
lance. In all of his races Goulding
has had little or no competition. No
man can break records unless he is
pushed to his limit
In 1911, at the same set of games in
Toronto, f. J. Webb, the champion at
that time, came from England to walk
against Goulding, and in a three-mile
race the latter won. In this race
Webs styles did not meet with the
approval of the judges. Trouble fol-
lowed. and but for Goulding's counsel
he would have been disqualified.
Webb's style Of walking was eriti-
cised a great deal at the Olympic games
In Stockholm in 1912. The late James
E. Sullivan at that time stated il he
were an official he would have disousl-
flied Webb. Goulding as q walker is in
class by himself.
On Lincoln's Birthday the famous
Battery (, now called Fifth Company
+, of the 18th Regiment, will hold its
annual games. In past years mar
gramme. This year the games COM
mittee decided to leave off the mara
thon, as their last one was the cause Of
much criticism.
This years feature will be a 800
yard special race. limited handicap Of
ten yards. Among the entries received
are Ted Meredith, Tom Halpin and
Dave Caldwell. The records Of this
trio are well known, as each is q cham
pion at his distance. The winner Is
sure 70 get new federation record. rs
the track is laid out under the new
rules--l2 inches from the pole instead
Of Is.
Now that Edward j. Reinecke has re-
signed as commissioner for the West
ern New York district of the Amateur
Athletic Union. Fred Vokes and Charles
Reidpath, both Of Buffalo. are being
boosted for this position. Ii will be
hard for the A. A. U. to fll the position.
Reineeke showed no favoritism what
ever. All got Q square deal.