The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-08-17
UNKNOWN NATATOR
WINS 10 MILE RACE
Eugene F. BOlden Swims From
Philadelphia to Riyerton,
N. J. in H. SO NJ. 10 Sec.
Speciol DespatcA 10 THr sun

PHILADELPHIA. Aug. 16.-Virtually an
unknown, Eugene F. Bolden of Mem
phis, Tenn, won the ten mile swimming
title to-day in the Delaware when he
battled his way from Philadelphia to
Riverton, n. j., in hour 5S minutes is
seconds. y
Bolden's performance was a new rec
ord, Leo Geibel. the New Yorker. doing
the same stretch last year in 2 hours
minutes. Geibel did not defend his title.
Bolden, representing the Great Lakes
Naval Training Station. was not con-
ceded even place against such stars as
Norman Ross, the Pacific coast marvel.
who cleaned up everything In the recent
lnterallied events in France: Harold
Kruger, the Hawaiian. now wearing the
Oakland. Cal. colors Frank Scroth, an
other Californian, and more than twenty
other swimmers from all parts Of the
country.
Bolden raced the heart out OF Ross
and Kruger, with the result that Ross
quit at the seven mile post after being
in the water l hour and 80 minutes.
John Kerry of Montreal. champion of
! Canada, who was far back in the early
part of the race, slipped in for second
place in hours minutes 20 seconds.
Kerry was overseas In the Canadian
army for five years Kruger. who holds
the worlds backstroke record, piloted
by Fred Cady, the Meadowbrook coach.
came In third right back of the Cana
dian in hours minutes % seconds.
| At the six mile post Bolden was out
| in front OF Ross by almost half a mile.
Ross and Kruger were having the race
of their lives. They pulled stroke for
| stroke for almost half a mile, and finally
Kruger got ahead. only to have Ross
rally and get in second place again.
In the meatimo Kerry. the Canadian.
was coming along strong and by cling
ing closer 20 the Jersey shore worked
his way up in a position whereby he
clipped in for second place after Ross
gave up and Kruger had virtually used
| up all his strength.
1t was the first ten mile race that
Bolden ever attempted. When he dove
Off the police boat with the two dozen
or more other tanned athletes, nobody
| gave him a thought, but he went out
in front right from the start and stayed
there to the finish.
Piloted by Kenneth Thompson and
| Alex Peters, veterans In the Navy,
Bolden was favored by the best of
luck In picking course up the Della
ware which was dotted with big and
little boats. Bolden set a terrific pace.
Ross and Kruger did not pay any at
tention to him, both OF their shippers
| eVlueptly figuring tual lio uHhho"h
would soon burn himself out.
Instead Of weakening. Bolden seemed
to get stronger with efery stroke. He
had 100 yeards at the end of the first
mile with Ross we'll out in front Of
| Kruger and the others strung out all
over the river.
1t took Bolden IS minutes to swim
from the Race street wharf to the
Pennsylvania Railroad bridge. which is
almost half the distance between here
and Riverton. He led Ross by fully a
quarter of a mile at that stage, with
Kruger almost on even terms with Ross,
Z It was thought that Ross had not
fully recovered his land legs He ar
rived in New York Monday on his trip
from France. Ross holds virtually all the
worlds records from 100 yards to fifteen
miles.
Frank Schroth, n giant Californian.
who stands 6 feet inches and weighs
2O4 pounds. looked formidable in the
first mile, and then fell into a slump. but
picked up lot OF lost water in the
final two miles and got in for fcth
position. beating out Paul Magee of
Camden by more than three minutes.