New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-01-16
BY HOMER BAKER,
Half mile Champion Of Great Britain.


Harry Gissing. former national half
mile champion, has declared his inten-
ton Of joining the New York A. &. IN
February. He was formerly a member
of the Mercury Foot organization, and
ho left 10 join the Irish American A. Z.
He wore their colors up to last Feb
ruarv, and under the A. A. l. rules an
athlete must compete for one year IN
attached.
Gissing has been training under the
watchful eyes OF Bernie Wefers for
several weeks at the fist Regiment
Armory. he will be a welcome mem
Der of the Mercury Foot squad.
Gissing has been running since 1908.
in which year he was member OF the
Mohawk A. c. After showing remark
able speed he Joined the New York A.
c. Later on he developed winning
streak that made him famous. A. the
junior national championship he made
show Of the rest of the field, winning
in the slashing time OF l:56. The fol-
lowing day he turned out for the
senior contest at the same distance and
forced Melvin Sheppard 70 the tape in
1868 80. lie afterward showed his
heels TO Sheppard with great consist
cncy. Sheppard often remarked:
This chan Gissing has given me more
trouble than all Of the Wanted British
runners put together"
Although Gissing has shown his
heels 10 the great Sheppard on several
occasions. ne has not come out Of the
ddle-distance scramble unscathed
himself In the summer Of 1910 he
went 70 Seattle 10 run in the national
5S0-yard championship, and was sur
priscd By {. Edmundson, of the Seattle
A. c.. who led the way home IN
1855 %.
Gissing was in wonderful form few
days before this race, but the climate
affected his speed at the last moment.
He was 90 good that his teammates
expected the half-mile record to go By
the board, and they bet everything
they had. including their return money
to New York. that Gissing would lead
his competitors home.
In 1910 Gissing also suffered defeat
at the hands Of Hans Braun, the great
German runner, who met death in the
war few months ago. They met in
the British half-mile championship,
Braun winning In the slow time of
1859 40, q full thirty yards slower
than Gissing does when at his best.
Harry Gissing is one who can never
be rated as beaten until the other fell
low has passed the tape He has q
way OF getting himself together in the
last few strides and throwing himsel.
forward after the fashion of Arthur
Duffy, the immortal nine three"
Splinter.
Joie Ray. of the Illinois Athletic
Club, is training every day. Mr.. Ma
hon. trainer Of the Illinois Athletic
Club athletes, AYERS that Ray will de-
feat the fastest milers in the East this
winter. Ray will make his first indoor
appearance at the Boston Athletic As
ISOLATION on February 5 at Mechanics
Hall, Boston.
Nike Devaney, of the Millrose Ath-
letic Association and the present two
nile junior national indoor champion,
IL running as fast as ever. Melvin
Sheppard, coach OF the Millrose Ath-
letic Association athletes, had Deyaney
run time trial last Wednesday night
on the list Regiment armory floor.
Much 20 the surprise of those present,
Devaney outran all those who ran
against MIN ana HHisNcu III L. ~ 40.
Sheppard expects that Devaney will
shatter the present record for one and
a half miles at the Millrose Athletic
Association carnival.
Ted Meredith, the national 440-yard
and the intercollegiate 40 and $50
yard champion, is conditioning himself
at Franklin Field. Meredith is anxious
TO avenge his recent defeat at the
hands Of Joe Higgins, of Holy Cross
College.
. Hugh Honahan, who vas selected on
the all-American team for his consls-
tency at Marathon racing, recently
Joined the National Guard, becoming a
member of Company d Of the list
Regiment
Tom Lennon, the fastest Splinter in
the New York Athle Club, has re
sumed track work at Franklin Field.
Lennon ruptured a muscle in his thigh
at the national indoor championships
in Madison Square Garden. He will
be seen at the New York Athletic Club
games in February.
Steve Riley, the crack |. A. A. c.
middle distance runner. has made an
application to Join the Mounted Scouts
OF the 7lst Regiment. Riley will start
training Immediately for q campaign
OH the board floor. When Riley Is in
condition he is a hard man TO beat.
George De Witt, the high school 100
vprd chamuion has Joined Company ID