ATHLETICS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 43, 5 October 1911, Page 2

ATHLETICS.

WORLD’S SPRINT CHAMPIONSHIP. The Donaldson-Holway match last Saturday (says “Argus” in the Sydney “Referee”) has been and still is the “talk of the town.” For a considerable time past Jack Donaldson’s name and his reputed records have been on every lip where peels and followers of pedostriauism do congregate, and many have been the arguments, often very heated, as to the correctness of many of the iigures tacked on to hi,- m-dii. especially those put up in ami near .loliaunesburg. It seemed to be generally agreed upon by the “heads” here in Sydney—particluarly by those ho have closely followed the game from the good old boom day- of the Sir Joseph Banks; Botany, and of Carrington and Lillie Bridge, linn the times attributed to “blue 'streak” Donaldson (and in a measure also to, Arthur Postle', the “Crimson Flash”) were more or less absurd. Some of Postle’s great times—such as his 130yds in 12sec. at Menxies, W.A., and those at Kalgoorlie, W.A.—were explained away and disallowed, as there were falls in the ground, hut nothing ■ could he done with Donaldson’s Johannesburg times—they were simply accepted or disbelieved in accordance with one’s personal views on the subject. I impst confess to always having had the gravest doubts possible about- Donaldson’s 100yds in 9 3-8 soci, 'and doubt also about his 100yds (twice) in 9 9-10 sec, and furthermore about his 'l2oyds in llf-sec, hut after his surprising effort last Saturday on a grass track' one must admit, and frankly admit, that Donaldson is a sprinter of such a class as to put all the above times, possibly excepting the 100yds in 9 3-8, within the compass of Ids ability. I had again and again hoard it said: “You just wait till Donaldson runs to English or Sydney watch-holders and see how his times compare with his alleged South African records.” Well, bold Jack went to England, but had the bad luck to break down. He lias now ‘come before some of our recognised Sydney watch-holders, and the result is known. Mr W. T. Kerr has for many years held a unique position in our clocking world, and in many branches- of sport. Personally I have always regarded and sill regard him as amongst the best .time-keepers in the world. His colleagues last Saturday (M'essrs K. A. Westhoff and T .C. Roberts) are also both freely accepted as very reliable time-keepers and the trio are to he seen in action meeting after meeting, under N.S.W. A.A.A. laws. Well, they agreed to 12sec. dead last Saturday for the 130yds, and I, for one, shall accept the figures, provided the track he not in any way down hill. Anyway, it will he hard, indeed to even now convince many of our old brigade —the men who, delight to talk about Harry Hutchens, Charlie Samuels) iin ' McGarrigal, Wally Williams, and other heroes of the‘ past—that anyone can put 130yds behind him in I2sec. • in fact, one of them said to me on Saturday night, “You know, ‘Argus,’ lio one can possibly run 10yds inside ovens for 130yds, unless it be down a hill.” It must rest at that, but after knowing what Holway, had been accomplishing on the'’training track, it is certain that Hie man who heat him by a good 4yds must have been almost flying. This great run by Donaldson will indeed glade.n the hearts .of “Strephon” (.Manchester “Athletic News”) and Mr Rule Naylor, the more so as it was accomplished in .Sydney. Well, hearty congratulations to Jack Donaldson, not forgetting his mentor, guide, and trainer, “Mick” Terry. *