PEDESTRIANISM.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1778, 1 November 1879, Page 3

PEDESTRIANISM.

FORTY-EIGHT HOUR CONTEST, The moat interesting item (saya Nimrod” in the “ Sydney Town and Country”) discussed in pedestrian circles at the present time is the coming forty-eight hour contest at the Exhibition Building next month. The contest is on the same principle as the great matches contested of late in America and England, in which the peds. make the best of their way over the distance either run or walk, whichever pleases themselves, but I do not remember such an event coming off at home at such a short distance, and it is my opinion that it would never answer, for the simple reason that the walkers would not have the slightest chance in such a short time with the runners, some of whom could almost go from start to finish. For we well remember, only a short time since, that it only took George Hazel about fifteen hours to complete 100 miles, and still he was able to keep going, so that it would take an extraordinary walker to have a show with him in forty-eight hours. It may be said that here we have no long distance runners, but of that I am not sure. What a lively time Mat Higgins would give the walkers were he here. Then I suppose that Bird is still in Launceston, and perhaps young Bedford could be found, ami with either of these men Edwards, who is supposed to be the best walker we have at the distance, would have no show. The first prize is a very liberal one, amounting to £IOO, second £4O (with medal), and the third £2O, so that the prizes are all worth going for. The entrance fee is high, but it has been made so that it will serve to keep away those who would only go to show themselves, and each competitor on completing his 150 miles will have his entrance fee To show that there is no chance of the winners failing to get their stakes, an event which has occurred

before in this city, the prize money will be placed in the hands of the editor of this journal, and I should suppose that this will be done at least a fortnight before the day, so that peds. coming from ot_her_ colonies may be made aware that it is all genuine. Should the number of entries exceed ten, a selection will have to be made, so I should advise intending competitors that are not well known to send in a list of performances in order that they may have a fair chance.