The evening world., 1921-02-15
BIZ Robert Boyd.

In France, his native land, they say
he is a greater runner than the late
Jean Bouin; in America he Is known
only by the sobriquet bestowed upon
him by the returning athletes, The
Running Fool"
Until the last Olympic games, Cor
poral Josef 'Guillemot dwelt in OBJ
security. 1t was not until tho 5000
and 10000 metre runs that the name
GuHlemot echoed throughout the civ
ilzed world as the greatest distance
runner of o-day
His first big race--the 5000 metre
event at Antwerp-was his debut in
which he matched strides with the
greatest distance runners in the
world. winning easily in II minutes
and SIS seconds.
Some conception of his feat may be
gathered from the classy field of ath-
letes who fell before the long strides
Of the diminutive Frenchman. MUIR
mi of Finland finished second and
Bachman, -the sensational Swedish
runner, ran third.
Practically the same field of start
ers faced the barrier in the 10000
metre race. II was a gruelling battle
between Nurmi, the Finlander, Will
son of England and Guillemot. The
sturdy little Frenchman had the race
well in hand and, with a few more
laps to go, started to sprint. This
exemplified his lack of experience. He
started his drive for the tape too
soon.
= He wilted a few feet before the fin
ish line, while Nurmi, a more eX-
perienced runner, nosed him out for
first honors. The poilu was second
and Wilson of England third in 81
minutes. As 2-5 seconds.
FEAT ONE OF MOST NOTABLE
IN HISTORY OF GAMES.
For a mere novice this is perhaps
enc of the most remarkable feats of
running ever witnessed at the ancient
international games.
During the year 1917, young Gull
lemot, then seventeen, left his home
in lie Dorat, Haute, in the central
part of France. to join the army. He
was sent to training camp outside
of Metz.
After a few months he was at
tached to the 10th Battalion Chaus-
seur Piled. His work consisted
largely of running to different points
of the training area with dispatches.
One day when the boyish looking
little runner was on his way with a
note to the chief of stan. Capt. Quill
gras of his battalion observed his
easy running stride and called him.
Where have you learned to run so
well. my boy?"
. Guillemot stopped. saluted, and
said Among the hills of lie Dorat'
my home, sir"
You mean you have never COM
peted?"
The poilu answered. mo sir"
Then l must see that YOU do at
the next games in Paris. You will re-
port to me tomorrow morning"
This was the beginning of Josef
| GuillemOt as a runner, discovered by
! his superior officer one year before
! the close OF the war.
Later the young poilu won several
races at the military games in Paris.
| In May, 1920, he won the inter-
| Allied elimination trials at long dis
lance and cross country running.
| This qualified him to represent France
/ at the Pershing Stadium.
Just before the start of the inter-
| Allied games he suffered from sore
! feet and had to withdraw. His next
races were the 5000 and 10000 metre
runs at Antwerp.
| Later he went TO England and de-
! feated all the foremost runners of
! the British Isles from one mile up to
| the cross country distance.
| GUILLEMoT HAS JUST PASSED
HIS 21ST BIRTHDAY.
Guillemot is merely a youth, hav-
ing just celebrated his twenty first
| birthday He appears even younger
than his age denotes. In speaking
| of his running ability he says he
does not know how he ever devel-
oped into a runner.
He is one of eight boys, the son
of Monsieur Guillemot, grocer mer-
chant of lie Dorat, Haute. His hom'
is in the billy and semi mountainous
part Of Central France. He played
and passed most of his boyhood
around this hilly country which has
been an important factor in develop
ing him into the great runner ne Is
to-day.
Guillemot cannot understand JUS
why Americans have referred to him
as "The Running Fool" except tina
il is his tireless, speedy and uncon
ventional style.
He is 5 feet inches in heigh
and weighs 1928 pounds, yet he has
, the long, easy going natural stride o.
6 foot athlete. He fairly boundeC
over the ten-lap board track at Souti
/ Field, Columbia University II
his first American workout.
In his leg movement he is a stylisl