Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1922-07-03

cap races n vas not able &c DO him
self justice in the last Olympic games
held in Antwerp in 1920 SeTs1the-
less. he has hesi:s,ed TO travel
any distance TO meet q Or
runners in match races.
During his brilliant career he mas
been a reliable. .poin, winner for his
club in both secfional and material
competition. His ability as q foot
racer has been So we'll known fhss
followers see z race if Jcie ~S a
contestant Ray Y failed to give
all he had. and some Of his race are
remarkable because of the fact be
would travel for days, jump OF a
train and a few hours later step z
mile in 4:2o or better.
Ambitious to Sc Naxs.
The great little. runner has airsy.
had the ambition to set a worlds e {
ord for the mile. On several occasions
he has come within fractions Of a
second. but it los looks as if some
other runner will have TO shatter the
mark OF 4:i2 3-5 made by Norman
Taber in 1915. Ray, however has
the honor OF holding the worlds in
door record for the distance. In 1919,
the ui-color club athlete ran the dis
0AAN ~ o-os AuAS p|3
took place in the Coliseum. Chicago.
On Feb. Is. 1917. in New York
City. the Chicago fier hung up a
worlds indoor record of a:1l Is for
two miles. This mark undoubtedly
will Withstand attacks Of indoor run
ners for years because; it was made
; a: a time when Joie was running a
better two miles than he could step
! n mile.
Like every great athlete who stays
in the game toe long. Ray must resign
b. served. Joie has run 80 many
!; grueling races that he cannot be ex-
pected to retain the speed and STAN
ina which have made him one OF
! Americas greatest In re-
cent years Ray had a bad day when
he could not turn his miles in 4:2l
I or better. Such performances com.
inc as many as twice a week, are SURE
TO take something out of a runner
! and especially a distance performer
Not a College Mani
J. Ray is not a product OF the col
leges. He is a made runner. He die
his early running on the trottint
track in Kankakee. Ill. In fact, j
has always been Joie's ambition t.
be a boxer. n before he broke int
athletic fame as a foot runner h
was considered a fairly good anna
teur boxer: He took part in severa
Journeys in Kankakee, n at time
appeared in exhibitions when profes
sional bouts were decided.
When he first broke into the pub
lie prints Ray had a wonderful amour
of endurance. He could run most an,
distance. and it was hard to keep hin
u of Marathon aces. Ten miles wa,
nothing for him to run, while fv'
miles was considered only a workout
His ability to run long distances with
out apparent signs of fatigue attract
ed attention of athletic men in tn
middle west. and JOie finally joine4
the Illinois A. c.
His performances while a membe
Of this organizations team are so vel
known that comment is not necessary
His work. however. was appreciated
to h extent that he has been mad
a life member. of the club, a splendii
reward for his honest efforts.
Running Days Not Over.
Ray does not believe his runnin,
several good races left, which we sin
cerely hope he has. Nevertheless
when one athlete gets another's mum
! Der it is mighty hard for the runne
who mas been beaten to reverse tn
verdict. Whether Joie will do thu
in future races is a matter of con
lecture, but in justice to the grea
little runner it must be said he viii
always rank among Americas pre-
mier middle distance performers.
Whether Ray Watson will be abb
to hold and maintain the position
! which Joie has occupied for 80 man,
' L-.a -# -. a.E Et