The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-12-17

The great Rick way out in front of the field, With the exception of one runner. youngster from Ala bama named George Irons, who was a close second. The other ~ to fin ish yesterday afternoon were strung along over the last mile. as the lanky Ellsworth breezed across the finish line.
 Breaks Record Again
 Richter has competed in the B. A. c. event four consecutive years. Four consecutive renewals he has won, and four straight times he has broken the record for the course. Yesterday af- ternoon Richter negotiated the three miles in 15 minutes 47 1-5 seconds, just 1-5 of second faster than the time he required to win the event last year.
 Throughout the race Richter was pushed hard by Irons, the Crimson athlete. With the starting gun, Richter sprang to the front, and maintained his position almost con tiiudliy. oHly Olice or lWlce did Irons forge to the front, and then he dropped back to let Richter set the pace again. As pacemaker, Richter is regular steam engine, and it was not long until the remainder of the field had dropped way to the rear. with Irons and Rick fighting it out for the lead
 Irons Pushed Rick
 During the first two miles of the race Irons had lots of steam, and not only stuck with Rick. but at one stage of the race these two jostied elbows in turning a corner and fight ing for the lead.
 Even up until the last quarter Of mile, Irons was a very dangerous foeman. and at no time was he any thing but a strong factor in the race. It was on the home stretch after the last turn had been made and the two were loping down Sixth avenue to- wards Twentieth street and the fin ish that Richter gradually forged ahead. At one time he was perhaps 50 yards in front of Irons, but as the tape neared. the Alabama young ster made game effort to overhaul his lanky opponent, and cut this lead to about 25 yards by the time of the finish of the race.
 Richter finished in good condition, and was net as exhausted as the gruelling pace would warrant. Irons was just about gone when he crossed the tape. He had given every ounce of strength in that last mad rush to overtake Richter
 Finished With Leaders
 It was not so many seconds before the remainder. of the field began trailing in. Jenkins. Atlanta A. C., came third, closely followed hy Stokes, Atlanta A. C.; Dawes. Georgia Tech, Boyd, Auburn: Young, Clem- and Mitchell. Tech who finished in the order named.
 The race was a gruelling one with Richter setting a killing pace from start to finish. Only Irons was able tc stand the pace, and he faltered long enough towards the last for Richter to secure his winning lead.
 Richter's feat in winning the event four consecutive times from the best of Dixie's distance running talent, and setting new record each time. Is considered the most notable of all in the history of track and field ath- letics in the snuth- The great Rick has won his place in sportdoms hall of fame. and he will forever. remain there, regardless of whether he ever runs in another race.
 Irons . Conner
 George Irons. who gave Richter such gallant bavle, is probably the most promising young distance run ner in the south today. That a youngster of his age and coinpara- tive inexperience in the game could stick with the veteran Richter so closely, and make such great fin- ish is considered little short of re- markahle. and old fans are predicting a brilliant future for Irons in Dixie track and field Athletics.