DAY V. McLACHLAN

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2090, 27 May 1907, Page 3

DAY V. McLACHLAN

IMPORTANT RUNNING MATCI

The following letter is from ft recent Duncilin Stnr: —“Sir, —In your issue of yesterday ‘X.Y.Z.’ makes a fow rash statements with respect to the right of B. K. Day to bo styled the ‘world’s greatest runner.’ As your correspondent apparently does not follow English athletic news very itojqly, I may tell him a few fnets that will put him right. Day came to Australia Inst September ns holder of the world’s championship title overall distances from 100 to 1000 yards, which title he has held in Great Britain since 1902. Bostic and Dny raced two matches, each for the world’s sprint championship, the distances varying from 75 to 440 yards. Postlo won, and consequently gained from Day the title of world’s sprint champion, which no one will deny Arthur Postle the right to hold; but the middle distance championship is for distances from 440yds to one mile, and over those courses Day has never met defeat. The facts of Day having to concede the next best man in England (Growcott) 2yds in lJOvds handicaps, and being a world’s champion over distances from 440yds to a mile, suroly entitle him to bo styled the world’s ‘greatest’ runner. As far as Shrubb and Duffy are concerned, they were both professionals when challenged by Day. The following is clipped from tlio London Sporting Life of February, 1906 : —‘B. It. Day to Alfred Shrubb—Seoing that Shrubb, appears to bo unable to got a match on with anyone over a mile, and that he (Day) cannot find a customer to run him a sprint, the latter is prepared to run Shrubb the best of three races—viz., 880yds, 1000yds, and ono mile —each race to be for £IOO a side, or the winner of the best of threo to take the £6OO. Day will run him on any fair track in England, Scotland, or Wales. The Sporting Life to be stakeholder and appoint the officials.’ The original of tlio above is in my scrap book, and I will be only too pleased to show it to ‘X.Y.Z.,’ and also show him numerous other clippings that will sot all doubts at rest. As McLacldan won tlio 220, 440, and 880 yards championships of New Zealand ill January last in very easy style, he must still retain his pace.—l am, etc., Rufe Naylor,”