The most novel and perhaps the most interesting sporting event of the year was brought off under the most favourable conditions on Sunday The occasion was one that well deserves to be spoken of in superlatives. Those whose only knowledge of walking matches has been derived from the accounts of the revival of this simplest of all sports at home, can hardly have been prepared to discover the amount of excitement to be roused by a closely-contested match of heel and too. Sunday's walk at Sh-nghai gained, of course, a great deal in interest from its international character, but quite apart from this it afforded pleasure, to those taking part and to those looking on, of a kind that is certain to make walking a popular sport in future.
The scene at the start by the Loongfei Bridge in the pleasant morning air was very like a meet of the hounds at home. The hounds themselves were missing and scarlet jackets, but pretty well everything else was there, even to the motor-cars. These, it may be remarked parenthetically, would probably not have been regretted if absent, but they were managed so as to be as little nuisance as possible. Cyclists turned out in force and there were quite a number mounted on horse or pony back, these including many ladies. It was an ideal morning, the sun just strong enough to be cheerful, and just sufficiently obscured not to be The competitors turned up gamely and were sent off in an eager bunch xt six minutes after seven o'clock. They were very variously arrayed. Some few had stripped down to sprinting rig, others made very little change from ordinary summer walking costume. Quite a number wore full length "continuations" and one competitor at least set out on his: long tramp in low canvas shoes, almost the most tiring foot-gear he could have chosen.
Up the shaded winding ways of the Bubbling Well boad, the walkers rapidly straggled out. Two Frenchmen led off, sotting a pace which looked together too hot to last The Dutch and English made a good showing, lying back and going comfortably: the Swiss quartette kept each other company farther back and the Italians brought up the rear. Representatives started of the following nations: Dutch, Japanese, Swiss, French, English, Danish, Italian, German, Australian, Scotch, British Colonial, and Russian, All except the last three put in teams of four. At St. George's Farm a good murly of the mere fall ad turned back for breakfast while others more enthusiastic had cut off the corner by Mohawk Road and the Avenue Paul Brunat to intercept the walkers agat Nanyang College. Here Mossi Marge and Oudin of the French team wore still leading and maintaining the hot pace at which they started. Mr. Aytos of the English team, whose walling at the Police sports on the previous day had backed up the opinion that had been previously formed of his powers, seemed to be out of condition: he was well back in the crowd.
Pacemakers were allowed from this point and took up their duties vigorously. The English four we cularly well supported in this way'and much of the credit of their ultimo te victory was clu to their helpers.
At 8.35 Mr. Marge lod the van past Mr. Tucker who kept the station at the Hungjao bridge. His compatriot, Mr. Oudin, was still in close attendance. Some distance behind came Mr. Horst of the Dutch four, but the Freachmen appeared fresh and to want a lot of catching. A third wearer of the tricolour, Mr. Giroux, had a likely place among the leaders, but Mr. Saubolle, the fourth man, was dropping out of the chances.
At the junction of Brenan Road and the Rubicon, where Dr. Lalcaca was stationed, the leaders had changed places, Mr. Oudin now being about a minute to the good while Mr. Giroux had come up to second place, Mr. Marge falling back to Mr. Horst. He passed the corner at 8.59, having thus covered the stiffest part of the journey in seven minutes under two hours. From the College the going had been decidedly: heavy and had told its tale on many of the walkers who had slowed down eonsiderably- Not 80, however, the leading Frenchmen, who had practically won the race at this time. A particularly thoughtful action on the part of Mr. E. D. Saundors was much appreciated at this point. The commandant of the Maxim corps had drawn up his house-boat on the creek, and with tables outside had set up what was practically a free refreshing house. There was champagne and cold tea at choice for competitors and pacemakers, and solider refreshment also in the form of biscuits. It is worth noting that most of the walkers preferred the'oold tea. Mr. Ayres revived the hopes of the English by picking up wonderfully after ewallowing a glassiof the stronger drink, and it was down the Brenan Road that ho overhauled several of his rivals and came into the fifth place.
The last stage of the race was entered upon at the turning into the Jessfield Road. All along the highway the spectators were plentifully sprinkled, and there was a largish crowd at the corner. The three Frenchmen and the Dutchman came round swinging along as though they were enjoying the jaunt. Messrs. Marge and Horst were close together some distance behind the other couple. About eight minutes after the first man, Mr. Ayres arrived with Mr. Poulsen close behind. Next in
(Scotch), Gerrard (English), Pfenninger the straggle were Mossry, Anderson, (Swils) and Mathieson (Dane)
Mr. Oudin's lead was so}icertainly established by the time that ho reached Captain Boisragon's corner that he felt it safe to take a brief rest in the St. George's Hotel, and though this rem: able deviation from the programme caused some questioning among the judges, some of whom thought it illegitimate that a competitor should handicap himself in this way, it made no difference to the French champion's success, for he walked past the winning line with plenty to spare exactly eight minutes after ton o'clock. Needless to say Mr. Ondin was greeted by a hearty round of cheers, which on the part of the French spectators dove-loped into exultation when another of the quartette, Mr. Giroux, registered second. Mr. Horst came in good third and then Mr. Mar, Everyone was fourth Frenchman express sed with his colleagues of the team, when Mr. Saubolle was looked for in vain. This was intensified by the knowledge that Mr. Saubolle was barely recovered from a severe attack of dengue fever and was in no condition to undertake the long and arduous walk. There were cheers for Mr. Poulsen and still more for Mr. Ayres. Mr. Anderson too came in for a warm reception. Mr. Mathieson made the second Dane home, and then a great cheer announced that Messrs, Lanning and Gerrard had brought the number of English past the post to throo, a tie with the French. Mr. Pfouninger passed in eleventh, the first Swiss home; next came Mr. Jurnitschek slother Swiss und a veter ran; then Mr. Klubien of the Danes. There were now home three representives each of France, England, and Denmark. The fourteenth ned out to be a German, Mr. Frericks, but the fifteenth was Mr. Quelch, the fourth Englishman. Mr. Quelch was pretty well exhausted, but urged on by his pacemakers made an exceedingly plucky finish, which was cordially recognised by the crowd. His arrival ut this point as it turned out just gave England the victory in the team competition. Immediately behind him came Mr. Imai, snd the popularity of the Japanese at the present time was evident from the fact that he had the heartiest reception of the lot. A number
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.