ATHLETICS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 451, 27 March 1912, Page 3

ATHLETICS.

When the Edinburgh marathon race run at Powderhali grounds at the New Year, ended in a win for the Finnish runner, W. Kolehmainen. two men who were among the defeated division, namely Ilans Holma r , of America (last year's winner), and T. Longboat, the famous Canadian Indian, were not satistied tnat they were at their best, and both challenged the Finn to another race. Kolehmainen was nothing; loth, and a sweepstake of £25 each was formed, all to go to the winner, together with oo per cent, of the gate money, of the remainder of which the second and third men were to each get a proportion. The track having been cleared of the recent heavv snow falls, was in excellent condition, as, indeed, is shown by the fact that 20 ."-risen was knocked ofl the professional record for the distance — l-'i miles whih was Bouchard's 1 hour 20min, while by only -llsec did the winner exceed the world's record (Appleby's) of 1 hour 20min 4 sec. As to the present race. Longboat cut out the running followed by the Finn, for a dozen miles, during which both men had lapped Holmar. At 13 miles Kohlehmain clashed to the front, but the Indian was quickly after him, and in a desperate finish throughout , the last 200 yards, beat the Finlander by two yards, in 1 hour 20min -15 sec. A. B. Postle has received a cablegram from Johannesburg stating that R. E. Walker, the South African champion, refuses the terms for a race with Postle in Johaniiebsurg. Walker states that he iintends to go to England in April. The match is therefore off. The Otorohanga sports, which are to be held to-morrow, should attract a large attendance of sport followers. Excellent entries have been received for the various events and exciting contests should result. The Mangapehi sport 3 gathering on Saturday has been well organised, and with " a highly _ attractive and varied programme there should be little doubt, that the meeting will be a thorough success. The weather, of course, is always a chief factor, and it is tc be hepod the fates will be kind to the holiday makers.