PEDESTRIANISM

Westport Times, Volume 1, Issue 144, 16 January 1868, Page 3

PEDESTRIANISM

EXTRAOBDINABY "WALKING MATCH fob £loo.—On Oct 7 one of the fastest 10 mile matches on record took place at the West London Pedestrian Ground Old B romp ton. in the presence of several noblemen and gentlemen, and about a thousand other spectators. The match was between G-. Davidson, of Hoxton, and J Stockwell, of Camberwell, who has been long matched to walk the above-named distance for £SO a side. Both young men are well known in pedestrian circles, and have frequently appeared in public. Davidson is 23 years of age, and stands sft 9|in. ; and Stockwell is a year older, and in height is sft. 7in. Betting was ia favour of Davidson at slight odds. The ground is exactly a quarter of a mile round, consequently they had to traverse it 40 times to complete the 10 miles. They started at 20 min. to 5 o'clock, Davidson taking the lead, walking the 'first mile in 7 min: 4 sec, when he was 20 yards ahead. At the end of the second mile Davidson had increased his lead, 14 min. 55 sec. having now elapsed. Three miles were completed in 23 min. 5 sec, Davidson baing now at least 50 yards in advance. Before the end of the 4th mile, Stockwell, by a desperate spurt, came right up to his man, and passed him in the back stretch. He continued in front for two laps, the time now being 31 min. 25 sec. Davidson then closed upon his opponent, and finished half the distance (5 miles) in 29 min. 24 sec, and wsa 10 yds. ahead. Stockwell made many most strenuous endeavours to decrease the distance between them, but without success. Six miles occupied 47 min. 32 see.; the 7th, 56 min. 10 sec. ; the Bth, 1 hour 4 min. 25 sec.; the 9th, in 1 hour 13 min., and the whole distance in 1 hour 21 min. 23 sec.; Stockwell was 16 sec in the rear. It was acknowledged to have been one of the quickest, and unquestionably the fairest heel-and-toe matches ever witnessed.