FASTEST TIME ON RECORD.

Globe, Volume I, Issue 69, 20 August 1874, Page 3

FASTEST TIME ON RECORD.

[From the (sporting Life .] Some 8000 people assembled at the Lillie bridge enclosure on June Ist, the occasion being the three-mile walking match, for the championship and £SO a-side, between Joseph Stockwell and William Perkins. There was a general expectation that something extraordinary way of time would be done, and that anticipation was amply realised. Stockwell, who is now thirty years of age, has been long before the public, having come out first of all iu 1862, and for some years has been regarded as the fastest and one of the fairest walkers in England, his style, when once he settles down into his stride, being one that aspirants may well copy. His last match previous to that of Monday was with Hurley, for the championship, in May last year, when he won. Perkins is only twenty-one years old, and stands sft 4in—3in less than Stockwell. He gradually made his way to the front rank, and by his defeat of Hurley last March, established a right to challenge Stockwell for the championship, which the older man then held. At half-past six Mr E. Smith, having been appointed referee, gave the signal for the men to go, and Stockwell dashed off with one of those tremendous bursts almost peculiar to him, Perkins, however, keeping close at his heels. After going about 100 yards, Perkins put on the steam, and, going with the utmost fairness, dashed right iu front as they turned into the back-strctch, and soon was leading by a dozen yards. At the end ■of the first lap (three to the mile) Perkins was over 20yds ahead, going in magnificent style, and keeping up a cracking pace, he finished the first mile in the unprecedented time of 6min 255. Still gaining, he was between 70yds and 80yds ahead at the end of the second mile (time, ISrain 28£s).' Commencing the “third, he drew still further ahead, but Stockwell now made a plucky effort, which had the effect of reducing the gap, though he failed to get quite up, and Perkins, getting away again, won by 50yds, the time for the whole distance being 20min 50 4-ss—the best on record. Betting at the start was G to 4 on Stockwell.