THE MARATHON RAGE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2253, 27 July 1908, Page 2

THE MARATHON RAGE.

ANCIENT, GREEK CONTEST REVIVED IN LONDON. \

ITALIAN FINISHES FIRST, BUT IS DISQUALIFIED.

United Press Association. Copyright (Received July 26, 4.15 p.m.)

LONDON, July 25,

In the great. Marathon race in connection with the Olympic games, Dorando finished first, Hayes (American) second, and Hefferman (South Africa) third. The race was awarded to Hayes, because the bystanders at tho Stadium helped Dorando, who fell thrice. Hefferman was awarded -second place and Forshaw (America) third/ Dorando. covered 26 miles in 2hrs Sdmins 46secs, and Hayes in 2hrs 57mins 46secs.

Eighty thousand spectators, including Queen Alexandra, witnessed the finish at the Stadium. _ There was-great excitement. Fifty-five started from The East Terrace, Windsor, the Princess of Wales aiid her children watching the start. There was a hot sun. An Englishman led to the 15 miles, wlienHottefiiian took the lead, which he retained to Wormwood Scrubs, about a mile- and a half from the Stadium, where Dorando, who had been second from tlie fifteenth mile, passed him, as did Hayes, who had assumed third position at 20 miles. On reaching tho entrance to the Stadium, Doraiido staggeringly ran 100yds on the track and then collapsed. He walked a few more yards and again collapsed. His compatriots frantically coaxed and implored, and. Dorando rose, but fell again twice, ; the last time only a hundred yards from the tape. As Hayes, running steadily, entered the Stadium, 350 yards away, officials and doctors 'resuscitated - Dorando, who, with assistance, struggled to within 20 yards of the tape, where ho fell. Rising again, lie just managed -to reach the tape unassisted, and then fell senseless into a stretcher.

Melton (American) was fourth, Wood, Simpson, and Lawson (Canadians) next, Svanberg (Sweden) eighth, Clark (the best of the Britishers) twelfth, twenty minutes behind the winner. Twenty-seven finished the course, the last being 87 minutes behind the winner.

Lynch retired at 5 miles, and Blake at 5] miles, .after falling owing to a scramble while taking refreshments. Aitken, running strongly, was sixth at 15 miles, fifth at 20, fourth at 21, where he was overcome by a sleepy fit, and .retired by doctor’s advice. All the Australians have now fully reoovored.

Donando states lio felt all right until he entered the Stadium, when the cheering overcamo him. ~ He never lost consciousness, and believed he could have finished unaided if the doctor had not ordered the attendants to pick him up. Dorando has a. frail little figure, though he is the holder of the-20 kilometres championship of Italy. Hayes is aged 24, and is a clerk in a New l ork. dry goods store. He was seoond in the Boston Marathon race. Ho declares he felt fresh at the end. Dorando was almost blind from exhaustion. Foreign officials lifted him on his feet and passed him to the tape- Hayes was almost exhausted-. Ihe Queen has decided to personally present -a- cup to Dorando, whom the judges describe *as the practical though -not de facto winner.