Evening star., 1936-03-19
BY ALAN GOULD.

N earnest appeals and a few
VI shining examples Of achieve
A. ment, America has yet to de-
velop anything worthy of the label
of distance-racing stamina as a COM
panion piece for her mass-production
speed.
Whereas the United States for the
first time since pre-war days has re-
gained a monopoly on world records
for human speed, up to and including
the mile, nothing menacing has taken
place in the more arduous art Of hoof-
ing longer distances.
Consequently, our prospects in the
four main Olympic tests, comprising
the 5000 meters steeplechase, the
5000 and 10000 meters fiat runs and
the classic marathon, are scarcely a
subject for optimistic consideration.
The passing of the Paavo Nurmi era
of Finland'S foot-racing supremacy
opened the way for fresh batch OF
distance running challengers, but the
U. S. A. took little advantage of op-
portunities.
How Distance Men Stack Up.
DOLAND and Argentina shared the
laurels with Finland in the Olym-
pic long runs of 1882. Japan and
Germany will have strong contenders
this year.
Based on developments. as we'll as
the views of Americas foremost track
coaches, here's how our distance-run-
ming prospects appear:
5000 meters steeplechase-A prob
able point getter in Joe McCluskey,
undisputed king of the obstacle run
ners in the United States, third-place
man in the 1882 Olympics and getting
sufficiently better with age to fore
cast a challenge to the Firms, who
make a speciality of this event.
5000 meters run-A real dark
horse" contender in Norman Bright,
the Sunnyvale, Calf, school teacher,
holder of the American outdoor 2
mile record and equally as good a
prospect as Ralph Hill, the Oregon
boy who came within inches of beat
ing Lauri Lehtinen Of Finland in the
5000 meters final four years ago, after
being fouled twice in the stretch.
10000 meters run-No chance to win
and only remote possibility Of a
scoring point although Tom Ottey, the
former Michigan stage harrier. and
1ndiana's sturdy Don Lash, national
country champion, may do bet
ter than their predecessors.
Chance In Marathon Slim.
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. more than
an outside chance to score here,
although track coaches figure capable
representation for the U. S. A. can
be picked from a quartet comprising
Johnny Kelley, Leslie Pawson, Pat
Dengis and Mel Porter. They repre-
sent new generation of plodders over
the route of 26 miles 385 yards and
may spring surprise or two, if they
get acclimated abroad.
r. L. (Dink) Templeton, Stanford's
coach, thinks Bright will go to town
in the 5000, and succeed where Hill
failed in brave bid to upset Finland S
best.
Of their indoor records, Bright,
Frank Nordell, former New York Uni
versity star, and Ray Sears of Butler
figure to be Uncle Sans leading can
didates for 5000 meters, unless one of
the mile aces, perhaps Joe Mangan
of Cornell, decides to switch to the
longer distance. Mangan formerly
held the national outdoor Emile rec
ord. Harold Manning, Wichita run
ner, probably will qualify as running
mate for McCluskey in the steeple-
chase.
If conscientious training counts for
anything. Pawson and Kelley, pair of
New England marathon running pals,
should make a good showing at Ber-
lin. Pawson has been doing road work
most of the Winter at his home, Paw
tucket, r. l., often with Kelley to keep
him company. Pawson set the Boston
marathon record of 2:31 :01 3-5 in 1888.