Road Relay Races MANCHESTER October 15 TO From BLACKPOOL Belle Vue 11a.m. EDINBURGH November 19 From TO St. Andrew's Sq. GLASGOW 11.30 a.m. Athletic Notes by JOE BINKS EX-HOLDER MILE RECORD 60 YEARS IN ATHLETICS Sales Exceed 8,000,000 Copies Per Issue MAKE SURE OF YOUR COPY. If you are not already a regular reader or a subscriber to this magazine and yet you share our desire for the promotion and development of Amateur Athletics, you should fill in this form immediately and link up in this great work. DO IT TO-DAY I The free receipt of this Magazine is an invitation to become a subscriber. Our SUBSCRIPTION RATES arc Photo by Andrew Prydc. 6 months 3/6 (post free) ; 12 months 6/6 (post free). TWO CHAMPIONS: J. STEWART PETTY ihc Scottish Half-Mlle — — Champion, with G. W. NANKEVILI.E, British Mile Champion. To "THE SCOTS ATHLETE." 69 ST. VINCENT STREET, GLASGOW. C.2. Please send "THE SCOTS ATHLETE " starting with issue. Name JOHN EMMET FARRELLS Club (if any). RUNNING COMMENTARY. Address, TRAINING SCHEDULE FOR CROSS-COUNTRY. AUSTRALIAN ATHLETICS. EDINBURGH HIGHLAND GAMES. Ienclose...............being 6 months/12 months' subscription. Published by Wilier J. Ross. 69 St. Vincent Street. Glasgow. C.2. Printed by Lawn 6 Miller. Ltd.. 21 York Street. Glasgow. C.2. PERTH-DUNDEE ROAD RACE By WINIFRED HOLMES-ROSS. THE SCOTS ATHLETE J-JOW fortunate I was to have followed Meanwhile the warmth of the day and TO STIMULATE INTEREST IN by car the Perth-Dundee race at the the distance was beginning to show SCOTTISH AND WORLD ATHLETICS invitation of Mr. Lyons, former active effect. G. Gordon, possibly pa/i.:g the Glasgow and Dundee athlete, recently penalty of too fast a stait. had to retire returned from teaching duties in Sudan. as had local lad J. Montague (Dundee EDITED BY - WALTER J ROSS Those who know this 22 miles stretch Th. H.) and J. Lawsan (Irvine Y.M.). to Dundee need not be told of its charm Bob Fail and another Dundee man. Editorial Offices—69 St. Vincent Street, Glasgow. C.2 Tel.-CENtral 8443 on especially a beautiful sunny Septem¬ Peter Taylor, were battling it out in 2nd ber's day. and 3rd positions. Stewart Vance the SEPTEMBER. 1949. Vol. 4. No. 6. Annual Subscription, 6/6 The race started promptly at 2.30. remarkable 64 year-old from South The field of 16 starters included local Sydney. Australia, was moving well and man and favourite Charlie Robertson. by no means last. the marathon champion 1948, of who had Reaching Ninewells, at the Dundee much to do with pushing namesake EMMET his city boundary with 3 miles to go. Charlie JOHN (the late Donald McNab) to his 1947 was still inside the previous best, but his FARRELL'S Perth-Dundee record of 2 hrs. 3 mins. tremendous bid had taken its toll, too. 25 sees. ; and Bob Fail of Gosforth H. and he wilted over the last Cross¬ who had travelled from mile. across the border ing the tape in 2 hrs. 5 mins. 49 sees.. with the reputation cf having finished 2 mins. 24 sees, over Donald's best, but 2nd in this year's Morpeth famous race nine minutes ahead of the next man. being runner-up to none other than the great Jack Holden. Three other Scottish With excellent judgment Gordon Internationalists included Willie Kennedy Porteous came through over the last few (Kilbarchan A.A.C.), Gordon Porteous miles to take 2nd place easily. Fail, (Maryhill H.). and Harry Howard another 2 minutes behind was 3rd. a (Shettlcston H.), who all have previously good showing for his first trial at the gained honours for road-running with the distance. latter still having records at lesser Details distances to his credit. I. C. D. Robertson (Dundrr T.) 2h. 5m. 19s. 2. G. Poiicou, (Maryhlll H.) was a ... 2h. Mm. 26». It brisk start and the field broke 3. R. Pali (Gosfonh 16m. «», H. 2h. Pat Ogilvie. Could there have up right away. Out in front was G. 4. J. Bell (Kirkcaldy Y.M.)......... 2h. 17m. 39,. A noteworthy feature of a glori¬ Gordon (Kirkcaldy Y.M.) with the 5. P. Taylor (Dundee T.) ... 2h. 18m. 15,. ous and colourful Athletic been some special quality in the 6. W. Kennedy (Kilbarchan A.C.) Gosforth man giving him company. 2h. 21m. 25s. season in Scotland has been the atmosphere favourable to the 7. H. Howard (Sbettleslon H.) ... 2h. 26m. 50s. vaulter's trade ? For while the Charlie Robertson and G. Porteous were 8. W. J. Rom (Gamcube H.) ... 2h. 30m. 12*. huge success of the various High¬ unruffled and content to let their running 9. K. D. McKlnnon (Kilbarchan) 2b. 3Jm. 47s. land Games promotions. Scottish champion was soaring over come at first, and it was noticeable, 10. S. Vance (South Sydney) ... 2h. J7m. 27«. of all there was Glasgow's the bar at Dunoon down in England too. II. A. (MoniBeth Y.C.) First Mcintosh 2h. 51m. 20s. T. Anderson was doing ditto with a how Harry HowaAl. usually rather im¬ 12. Robert Donald (Glasgow Y.M.) 2h. 42m. 02s. great initial success in May while petuous. was restraining himself and 13. J. R. Scott (Glasgow Y.M.) ... Jh. 08m. 07,. in August. Bute, Milngavie and grand vault of 12 ft. 10 ins. which running at the rear. Cowal also surpassed previous efforts beat F. A. M. Webster's 1938 native figures by the narrow margin of It was almost at the 6 miles' stage at and now we have Edinburgh's effort record Glencarse before Robertson took the FOUND. which must rank among the great meet¬ $ inch. initiative in easy style. A silver medal was found outside the ings of the year. The grand weather MurrayBcld a Picture Olympic Stadium has been a vital factor in these successes. If there is a venue for an athletic From jhen on it was just a case of last year and somehow better to All athletic galas do of course depend meeting, particularly a Highland Games piling on the lead out on his own. was passed on Mr. Gilbert. Hon. Secy.. but none more gathering than Murrayfield Ishould like Running very strongly he passed Half¬ S.A.A.A. Through our columns the largely on good conditions than do the Highland Games where to know of it. With its spacious stand. way House ( 1 1 miles) in 57 mins. 20 owner was contacted and the medal was so spirit of compact ground, bright sward sees. The timekeepers observed here duly returned. there is such a traditional its green colour. its general surroundings and atmosphere that he was in touch with the course We are glad to give this free service carnival and Murrayfield looked a picture. Add to record and no doubt Charlie had now an when athletes attire, etc.. has been found. Stratosphere Calling this a huge, appreciative incentive more than winning the race. Organisers should co-operate by bringing warmly crowd. " Cowal had a record crowd of some a host of athletic personalities headed by Running Lost Property " to our notice. with abandon and power he 31.000 (against the previous best of Olympic champions Fanny Blankcrs- was as as sees, inside the much 46 28.000). In a grand day's sport the out¬ Koen and Arthur Wint as well as the previous best at the 15 miles stage and it A silver propelling pencil was found standing feature was Norman Gregor's real Highland Games atmosphere and looked as if a new record was on the in the dressing room at Rangers F.C. pole vault of 12 ft. ins. which beat you have the ingredients of a real feast way. Sports. Owner should contact the Editor. the previous Scottish record of 12 ft. by of sport. 4 THE SCOTS ATHLETE THE SCOTS ATHLETE 5 A Bouquet for Edinburgh comer's Irish record and earned the dis¬ until the unorthodox Zatopek rather gave Barry the race of his life was his stole his thunder by literally running peak effort. Subsequently his perform¬ W. Carmichael who was the guiding tinction of running the fastest mile in him off the at Wembley in the ances tailed off somewhat though he con. light in this promotion once again proved these islands of the year or .2 of a track second faster than Bill Nankevillc's time 10,000 metres Olympic event. tinued to run in his customary artistic his great flair for organising and it was fashion. grand to see such a resounding success. in winning the A.A.A. championship. On the present form of both men The hard-working Eastern District The fairly heavy track conditions and a another race between them at this dist¬ Duncan Clark might have been the secretary has the gift of imagination and comparatively slowish 2nd lap ruined ance could be a classic. Scots athlete of the year but J. G. M. believes in doing things on a big scale. any chances of John Joe getting to grips Hart might be said to be the best in a Brief Review of Scottish Track For example the appearance of Fanny with the 4 min. mile. Nevertheless it comparative sense, as the Scot showing Blankers Kocn and Arthur Wint would was a brilliant climax to an amazing Season the greatest improvement in form. alone have drawn the crowd. But an season for the colourful Irishman. It is generally accepted that the athletic The 6 feet, bespectacled Edinburgh invitation was also extended to a select Popular " Billy " is a splendid season now drawing to a close has been Morton student not only proved himself second British team of athletes and cyclists ; and one of the most successful on record and organiser but has in addition the quality only to maestro Don Finlay over the what a team Crump had with him imagination.