Dead Heat
The Hume twins’ practice of interlocking hands in “dead heat” wins drew national publicity and also controversy. Associated Press columnist Jimmy Jordan dubbed them the “dead heat twins.” Another writer referred to them as the “Dead Heat Kids.” The publicity peaked in June 1944 when “Michigan's famous distance running twins raced to their ninth straight dead-heat victory in the mile run of the 23rd National Collegiate Athletic Association track and field championship meet tonight, finishing hand-in-hand more than 100 yards ahead of the next runner.” A columnist in Massachusetts wrote: ”As the twins finished their sophomore year at Michigan, [Coach Ken] Doherty decided to run them in the mile and two mile races together … this proved to be a happy solution … the twins like to run together .. they’ve been doing that since before their school days .. furthermore, they usually finish so far in front that the last 50 yards finds that they are clasping hands and hit the tape together.”