Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1931-02-18
By SPEED" WALLACE
Worlds Fastest Baseball Runner)

Y - 80 >
ONCE the entire world was in
terested IN a mutual subject. This
was croSs-country running. Each
nation claimed to have the runner
with the most stamina. Various
Indian tribes thought their run
ners could Guido the White because
or a more rugged life. In Other
countries as wei as America. Sho.
Cross-country runs took place. A.
Ia most other branches Of sport,
10 was the United States that at
tempted to hold the lime-light.
SPORT WRITERS OF every ma
tiOnality attempted to estimate the
stamina OF man upon such tests.
CrcSs-country running Of any
length was somewhat new to the
sporting world as the marathon Is
only a short distance over 20 miles.
IL was Cash" Pyle that attempted
to caSh-ln on the new popular
sport by offering large purses to
the winners Of coast 70 coast
events. This not only ruined the
savings Of Pyle and his partner.
Red Grange, but shortened the
life Of many OF the runners. One
young chap from foreign shores
finished in the money but was
unable to collect. and 10 is said due
TO his disappointment and ruined
health. he took his own life. 1t
had is tragic sides as well as ali
the glorious bally-hoo.
The Records
FIFTY MILES AVERAGE per
day for q distance or one thousand
miles was the very best that any
one could find on record. AT that.
this was not authentic and MAN.
writer's claimed IL was impossible
for mar to make such an average.
Experts upon Workmanship stated
n was impossible for a horse to
set such an average day after day
over cross-country roads. I had
had plenty experience upon the
Cinderpath but later found that
cross-countrv running and sprint
ing have no more IN common than
flying an airplane. As other writ
ers. ! made my guess and evidently
shot very high as IL drew answers
from every direction. 7 claimed a
young man who was fully developed
could average over sixty miles pe-
DAY for a distance OF one thousand
miles. I was so sold on my OWE
estimation ard after 1t drew so
much comment from all over the
country. I decided 70 run in the
Pyle Bunion Derby. My friends
thought best for me not 10 90 but
with full determination ! was 60
ing ~ prove nv point. Later. r
withdrew as Paddock claimed I
would loose my amateur standing
II I accompanied the Pyle caravan.
though ! did not accept any
remuneration.
STILL THE SO-CALLED EX-
PERTS continued 10 pan me for
having such an idea, SO I decided
"a hold a one man bunlon derby
al OF nv own Cross country north
and south vas elected 50 no inter-
ference would come from the all
nation Pyle hooters. After making
the statement. I was flooded with
wires from sections all over the
country asking me to consider their
place upon my itinerary.
TEXAS TO NORTH dakota
was selected for the event. TO star.
III the Panhandle and check IN az
the Capitol OF North Dakota. Bis
marck. would make lust eleven
hundred miles. Nothing TO gain but
experience. I started out on the
trek. Oh how awful ii was after the
miles started 10 pass and for me
to be trodding foot sore along the
road and have my representative
and officials along with tho news
men riding ~ hz "A n with
fluffy cushions alongside or
me.