Evening star., 1932-08-18
GERMAN TO STRIVE
FOR WORLD RECORD
Intent Upon Making Up for
Failure to Do Better in
Olympic Race.
BY r. ID. THOMAS.

D4 ns Ds 4AAoA'AhSs
TOR sheer determination, con-
r slider the case of Paul De
/ Bruyn, German marathon
champion, who, Saturday,
will attempt to set a world record
in The Evening Star Marathon
for the National A. A. U. cham
pionship, an event inspired by the
George Washington Bicentennial.
Less than two weeks ago, De
Bruyn ran a heart breaking race
in the Olympics, a contest he was
expected by many to win, but in
which he finished well down the
list.
Fifteenth place was humiliation for
the man who had trotted home in front
of a giant field in the famous Boston
marathon, who in 18 months had run
more than 80 races of distances from
2 to Is miles and had won more than
so Of them, never failing to take place
among the leaders, setting records in
several.
AL Germany and a large part of the
rest Of the world accounted De Bruyn,
If not the winner, at least strong con-
tender for the olympic crown. And
he was a flop.
1t was the only bad race of his
career.
THE reason for De Bruyn's failure
i and the poor showing made by
several other favoriteS has been
widely publiciZed. They trained for a
hot day and it vas so cold some of the
Olympic spectatuCs left the stadium be-
fore the marathon finish. At the end
of miles De Bruyn's muscles stiffened.
Il was stiff like stick" he says.
Two weeks before in a practice run,
taking things easy, he negotiated the
26 miles 1856 yards in hours and 38
minutes and was assured of much faster
time in competition. He did well TO
finish in 2:51.
Four years will pass before De Bruyn
runs another Olympic race, four years
in which De Bruyn will carry the men,
ory of O humiliation which seems
craven in his heart.
And for four years De Bruyn will
train, his life devoted to single pur-
pose, all else subjugated to it, worldly
Is his vow.
VIJIIL he be the next Olympic winner?
w De Bruyn's reply to that ques-
tion today came from the bottom
of his chest. It seemed 10 vibrate his
165 pounds of compact Drawn and there
was a far-away look in the pale blue
German eyes, a look that seemed to
magnify the future and bring in close
he orotA -
1926.
II. try hard" he said, and with
deeper emotion, Il try hard. For four
years viii get ready
Although the Olympic race is only
IL days past, De Bruyn Is recovered
completely from the drain on his vital
1ty and the marvelously sturdy runner
declares himself in perfect condition.
He rode over the course yesterday
and pronounced it great"
IN reference to an attempt to crack
i the world record of 2:3l:57 made by
zabala in the Olympic contest, De
Bruyn said: 1T is not easy. I hope
for a warm day"
And thinking again of the Olympic
failure.
Il got to do something. got to-"
From which it was apparent that
De Bruyn dreaded to return to home,
friends and admirers-he is now a resi-
dent of New York-without having re-
deemed himself in some measure for
A>that business at Los Angeles.
The 24-year-old German has been in
Washington only two days but already
has q following His smile is ready and
bright, his talk is spontaneous and
straightforward, but not boastful and
he has kindly way. In the American
marathon tryout at Los Angeles De
Bruyn was the most active man on the
course dealing first aid. Somebody
termed him an angel on wheels.
LIE rode over the course here yester-
i i day with Ira Lee Law of the Dis
trict Chapter, Red Cross. who has
charge of relief arrangements, with sta
tions at every several miles.
De Bruyn made suggestions.
He plans to use only three OF the
stations himself Here he will take a
little tea. But Law got some valuable
information on what many others
might need.
"You see," said De Bruyn, Il am
strong and won't need much. There
will be others maybe in not so good
shape"
And for a contestant in the race, it
was a charitable thought for De Bruyn
seems guaranteed a stiff race. He
not even an outstanding favorite.