The New York herald., 1922-12-01
Plant Breaks Record
in Walk to COney Island
Beats Old Mark by 1 Min. 30
Sec.-M. Weiss, With 18
Min. Handicap Leads.

Willie Plant. Americas premier walker,
divided honors with Mack Weiss,
youngster representing the Long Island
Center X. of c., yesterday afternoon in
the twelfth annual City Hall to Conay
Island walk. held under the auspices OF
the Walkers Club Of America. Weiss. a
newcomer to the ranks of the pedes-
trians. won the race from the IS minute
handicap. and Plant. starting from
stratch. shattered the 10la mile course
record, though he finished in twenty
ninth position.
Plant covered the long route in hour
25 minutes 25 seconds, clipping 1
minute 30 seconds from the old mark
which was established in 1917 by Dick
Remer and later equaled by both Win
Rolker and Plant. weiss's time was
hour 35 minutes So seconds.
The winner went into the lead at the
eight mile mark and flashed over the
finish line $50 yards ahead of Fred
Coughtry Of the New York A. c.. who also
had an allowance of IS minutes. In
third place, fully 200 yards back, was
Tim O'Connor OF st. Anselm's A. c.,
while A. Lobou of the Morningside A.
c. was fourth.
The field of sixty-three starters, many
Of whom had thirty minute handicaps.
was strung out for two miles after wind
ing over the bridge from the City Hall.
At three miles Jim Hooking, sixty-six-
year-old representative Of the Walkers
Club and the oldest entrant, was fully
half mile in front OF Robert Dunnigan
and Max Aggerholm Of the Pastime A. c.
was third, about 100 yards back. O'Con-
nor was then 500 yards behind Agger-
holm and closely followed by Coughtry
and II. w. Schell of the Long Island
c. A. Weiss was seventh and showing
remarkable form and stamina.
The plucky old time title holder made
his big gain on the long hill leading
UP to ocean Parkway. This hill killed
the chances of many Of the youngsters
who did not have the experience OF the
veteran. However, Dunnigan showed
fine judgment Of pace here and at the
five mile mark he was only 100 yards
behind the white haired Hooking. ]. c.
Smithson Of the Long Island G. A. had
moved into third place. 150 yards be-
hind Dunnigan, with O'Connor fourth.
Coughtry fifth, Aggerholm sixth and
Weiss still in seventh place.
veteran Falls Back.
The field gradually closed on Hook
ing and at the seven mile checking sta
ton Coughtry shot into the lead. closely
followed by OConnor. Smithson was
next to go forward and then came
Weiss. who was just preparing to make
his bid.
shortly after passing the eighth mile
Weiss caught the leaders and after
sharp struggle he headed the tired pace
maker. Weiss displayed rare ability,
and walking with unusual care not "a
violate the heel and toe rules swep,
away from Coughtry. while O'Connor
dropped back into third place.
In that last long mile to the sea there
were several changes In position tow
ard the rear OF the column. Plant was
putting up heroic fight against hope
less odds. but never for moment did
ne let up his terrific pace. He knew
that he could not win, but he wanted
to set new mark in capturing the fast
time trophy, and he did. He had pur-
posely pulled UP on Joe Pearman. who
had a minute and thirty seconds start
on the Morningside A. G. man. so as
TO benefit from Pearman's pace. During
the final three miles Plant moved so
fast that he gained ono minute on the
leaders.
incidentally Pearman performed brill
llantly. He also bettered by one second
the old record and despite Plants er-
forts Joe finished fvo yards in front
Of Americas best amateur pedestrian.
Team honors went to the Long Island
City Athletics with low score of 81
points. The Pastme A. c. was second
with Al and the Morningside a. Z. third
with So.