CHAMPION WALKING MATCH.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1947, 21 May 1880, Page 3

CHAMPION WALKING MATCH.

The seven-mile walking match between Bowloy, of Christchurch, and O’Connor, of Timaru, came off in Hagley Park yesterday afternoon. The match was, as previously stated, for 100 so vs. a side, but the stake itself represented only a very small portion of the money depending on the result. Bowley informed us that he was never in better trim is his life, a statement quite borne out by his appearance when he went to the scratch, while O’Connor,- about whose chances the southern division were very confident, came out in exceptionally good fornu Bowley, from his local reputation, had a trifle the call in the betting when they went to the post, but this was more from the fact that up to the present O’Connor, has been more of a a sprint runner than a walkist. The attendance was very large, at one time over 3000 people being on the ground. Mr John Ollivicr officiated as judge, Mr 8. P. Andrews as timekeeper, and the Hon. J. T. Peacock kept the tally of the laps. Messrs Parker and P. Duncan acted as referees on behalf of O’Connor, and Messrs Anson and E. Digby for Bowley. The umpire selected by the referees was Mr James Campbell. The path, after the recent heavy rains was very heavy going in places, and it was understood that both men had made better time in their trials than that recorded; in the race. At 351 the two competitors toed the line, and with very little delay went away to a mutual start. Bowley went almost at once to the front, and led hy a few strides for the first two laps, of which, by the way, the contestants bad to stride 28. A good spurt on the part of the Southerner put him in possession of the lead, which he held for nearly a mile, when Bowley again took command for a while. His lead was, however, not of long duration, for O’Connor put on a more determined spurt at the end of the second mile. He here obtained a good lead of a few yards, but Bowley stuck most doggedly to his opponent, and they strode lap after lap almost in each others tracks. Again the Southerner put it on, and this time drew more away from Bowley, an advantage which he gradually increased towards the close of the race. Bowley stuck to his work in the most _ plucky and determined manner, but during the lost few laps it was quite evident that his opponent had the best of it. O’Connor, who certainly showed a tremendous turn of speed, eventually-passed the tape about a third of a lap ahead of the local representative. Both men were deservedly most heartily -cheered as they finished. The distance was accomplished as follows : Ist mile 7 mins. 55 secs. 2nd mile ■ 15 mins. 50 secs. 3rd mile 1 23 mins. 47 secs. 4th mile ... ... 32 mins. sth mile 39 mins. 2 secs. 6th mile 47 mine. 23 secs. 7th and final mile ... 55 mins. 41 secs. The contest was undoubtedly the best and most exciting that has ever taken place in Now Zealand. The stakes were paid over to O’Connor in the evening at the Empire Hotel by Mr Digby, the stakeholder.