THE PEDESTRIAN FEAT. 112 MILES IN 48 HOURS.

Waikato Times, Volume IX, Issue 526, 2 October 1875, Page 3

THE PEDESTRIAN FEAT. 112 MILES IN 48 HOURS.

Mbovt a mon'b ago several Hamilton men -of a sporting turn were discussing jede^trian 1 ►-foati, when Mr Panwrs offered to walk 112 * <Va in *h# apace of 48 hours, carrying 56 and accomplishing 56 miles in each 24 3* >urs. A nvitch was -t o-ice made, and two speculative uentlem^n staked tlvir money o the event. By the majority of the people of Hamilton t'.ie possibility of accomplishing tht* feat iras doubted, and as mucii as 2 to 1 ■was laid against the p»'d. Mr D'nvers at •once went in o acire training, doing yood ■work every morning. It wi> arranged that the task should be commenced on Thursday f reniug, and duriag the day the hotting was prettj" cren, The fo»ir*e was careful Ij* luiJ •oat on rhe Football ground, and 'he lap was found out to be exactly a quarter of a mile 4fend ten links in length. The turn* wee -fenced off. and lamns placM at each corn-r. Towards the evening 4 to 1 was offered and "taken freely that the ped would no' accom plish tne Hr»t 56 miles. It «a« arranged tha Mr Silver shouli act as re eree. M.r Whitaker undent) >k to couch the ped, and Capt Swindley watched tho ra teh on behalf •of the other side. It was at first undei'sto d that the match should eomnienceat 10 o'c oclt on Thursday night, but preparations were hurried by a message from the«ped. announc* ing his intention of starting at 8 o'clock. Mr Danrers, however, did not get on the ground until about half past eight o'clock. At this time there was a large assemblage on the ground with lanterns including a few ladies The pedestrian was attired in a guernsey and '4 shawl worn a la Maori, and roomy lace-up boors. Th* w ight co->fti»ted of a heit with cartouche box*'* c intaining lead, wheh could be move i eirher to th-» front or rear, also two small «ap pouches coutaining lead, and a ''ptkaa" composfil of leid wrapi>e i m a bUik-t. He elected a' so to oarrj a rifle a« part of the weigh', thereby <iiip>»ving tjooi judgment, as he could -change the weight as he dcs red, »nd prevent his hands from twelling. The start took place at 8 33 p..v. ami Ut fh« <-heer# of «he byaNn ers, Mr Surer h*»ing ciutioneti the specta>ov& «gain>»l inti*u Ung on the couri*. The wnlker wu acoompanied round se»i»ra« l«ps by frit- ndt, biiokers, an I *p««ct»t »r». He went away »t s good puce, it anything r.ither fast, doing the lii'st three mi'es at the rate of (our iu>les an bour. Amongst. thoi« who accompaci d him round was Mr Lxn^bri'iae, who whs accoutre! in an inmens^ coat, and wiio cnrri«d a walking incit. To the intens- eurp-iurtof out* rep*ner he «ac--csrtde I in 4< lop<iui"ti:i^" hiuineh round the course six Mines. A wed known settler ot Hami.ron Wrist, » leading buri-trtr. a C»<nbriJge gentle* man, and a popular officer oi the AC w re amongst tht>se who b!*o essayed »oe feat of walking round and nhewiu* their muscles. During theeveiVng, and far mfcu th» sma 1 hour«a crowd >ot ju rentier enlivened tne cc c. Tih> squatted round a flre, an I c leer^.i the i^edestrmn lumiljt. Ji. ha tpo»myli-<hed. about mx mil-s his "'tail" off, and ho was permi'tei t> plod on hi* wij mlo'ie Ar. ear*U mid of the course tea»t were j)itc ied, one b 'i'U appropriated for the referee, stak 'holder*, backer*, «n 1 o heri, and the other for the a<c laimodntion o the ped an I In* attendant*. l?roin 4 milen an hour Mr Da'»vcra araduailv rrtdu««d nil pace to 3}. tie hilffd for a .-•pell nb>ut 1 o'clock' and a 'O'h««r l*o houi» 4tnd a quarte- J»t-r. At 7 o'clock iv tbe morning he hai ed for nn hour and a ha f for a bith And broanfAs.- stirnng ag«m qu '« lre«h at 8.30. •^t9.30 he ret ed for another 2'J minuies, On •»l»rW"t» ag«<n he did « »<iieiu between 17 und 18 an huV*'* ftr 'd *t ab ut 11.15 he had accompli died •40 in let At 5 40 pin jester day be ate >mp»i*ned >tiie Hr»r 56 tmlca, and «'«il a >penre-< to be Ojihparatir ly Irenh— timn, 56 miles in 21 h um 17 minotes. The last throe miles wa« acrouipmhdd in the preseni-e of • large c owd wu rh ered bi..» enthu-iti»t."4l j «t *ht «lo«e for hi« pluok and detiTinin ti >n H» com>nenci d his second 56 niil>-« a 1 t n minute^ ti -el-rea o'ot >ok ld«t u'tjl'», 0oin: oß'iitauood pa<-e, amidst rounds of rheers. Tne netting w«#'tlj*n it'om ov-eo. It i«h. -ul I be ,m ctioueu that duriog oi 'he first 56 mile*, lit r»<neit heariU,, wlnct iuu*t biira tii lir«rilv ;»jiiiMf h\'*u He ha-« dwpia •«•<» grt-at 41 ick throiighuMt and dwsa ye- to win. U to (Midi i-.il lutt nig t he w*» cluing ill e» miles an buir^ Mud 4k« he has nearj 2i hour* in which © do iu«ec>nd 56 uiilci, bit meadi »nt oou& Jwit he wnl poll itofll