PEERLESS RUNNER.
Continued from the First Page.
and, for the first time in the race, was in second place, which he held to the finish, which he reached inside of last year's record.
Hughson fell on the road a couple of times from cramps in his legs, but he made a grand name for himself. He stopped at the reservoir and was brought home in a carriage.
S. A. Mellor of the Hollywood Inn A. C. of New York was third.
Both Caffrey and Mellor are small men, weighing not over 135, which appears to be the ideal weight for such along killing trial of speed and pluck.
John Vrazanis, the Greek, who represented the Spartan state, was expected to uphold the traditions of the mother country, but he was lost in the shuffle, and dropped by the wayside early in the race from sore feet.
It was nearly an hour after the winner had breasted the line that the last man to finish put in an appearance, but the men as a whole looked better and were in far better shape than last year.
The physician attending said Caffrey was in splendid trim, and for that matter the entire field of runners averaged better than last year.
All along the route thousands of peoIple were gathered, and at the various towns the leaders were cheered and otherwise encouraged.
Thousands Saw the Race.
A conservative estimate of those who witnessed the race is placed at 25,000. Once the runners struck the reservoir they ran through a lane of people, which was banked up 20, and in some places 30, deep as they neared the finish. Several of the runners lost time in getting through the crowd, and in a couple of instances they had to make a detour.
A feature not down on the bills, as the showman says, was the appearance of a young man clad in running togs who ran second to Caffrey all the way in from the reservoir. He slid in from one of the side streets, and completely fooled all the people along the route.
He dropped out again as mysteriously as he entered, and probably would have been in bad odor had the officials un-earthed him.
The runners were well cared for along the route by a corps of 48 bicycle riders from the 1st regt, under Lieut Fred Spencely.
John Graham had the entire management of the race in hand.
THE RUN IN DETAIL.
Hughson and Caffrey Go Away Very Fast - Latter Takes Lead at Wellesley Hills.
The South terminal station presented a warlike aspect shortly before 9 yesterday morning. Nearly three score of soldier boys, picked from batteries D and E of the 1st regiment, under command of Lieut Fred Spencely and Sergt Tonrose, assembeld in the station and made ready for the departure of the 9:15 train which was to convey the runners and attendants to Ashland.
On arriving at Ashland the runners went to the Columbia house, where they made ready for the race. Each runner was carefully examined by a comperection of Dr John B. Blake. His assistants were Drs Faulkner, Strong, Larabee, Franz, Crandon and McBain.
A light lunch was enjoyed by runners and escorts and shortly before noon two barges conveyed the athletes to the starting place. The group was posed for several photographers and after a few instructions by John Graham the men were told to get in readiness the start.
Coats, sweaters and flannels were hastily thrown to friends and attendants and an eager look appeared in the set faces of the 36 men grouped upon the narrow bridge. Few moments were wasted before starter Graham gave the word. It was precisely 12 o'clock.
Those who expected to see a slow start were doomed to disappointment, for instantly F. W. Hughson of the Hamilton Y. M. C. A. and Caffrey darted away and rushed down the rather steep incline, Hughson silghtly in the lead.
After a quarter of a mile had been covered C. Crimmins of the Cambridgeport "gym" set out after the flying Canadians. His action was at once noticed by the Indian plodder, Davis, and he, too, increased his speed.
First Mile Very Fast.
Over the first mile they tore with nerve racking speed. At the railroad tracks in Ashland center Hughson was showing the way to his eventual conqueror, Caffrey. Fifty yards behind came, Crimmins, while Davis was leading T. J. Hicks of the Cambridge Y. M. C. A. by a few yards. Chronometers snapped as the railroad tracks were crossed and expressions of astonishment illuminated the faces of interested timers as they perceived that the first mile was run in 4m 40s.
The soft sandy road just beyond the railroad station was evidently to the liking of the two thoroughly trained leaders, and never for an instant was the pace slackened. Clouds of dust marked the positions of Hughson and Jack Caffrey in the distance.
The terrific pace was evidently beginning to tell on Crimmins and he was fast losing ground. The Indian, Davis, floated along in his awkward manner some distance in the rear of Crimmins.
The rest of the starters were strung out in groups and Indian file, with John Vrazanas, the 20-year-old Greek, who commanded respect on account of his reputed ability, well toward the rear.
Vrazanas commanded attention only for the first couple of miles, for after that, with several other ambitious youths, he was lost sight of.
A mile from South Framingham, Hughson lengthened his stride and drew away from Caffrey. Half a mile from the town Crimmins made a determined attempt to overtake Caffrey and as the three leaders entered the long lane of people Hughson was leading Caffrey by less than 10 yards, while Crimmins was only a yard or two in the rear of the champion.
McDonald Coming Along.
Ronald McDonald, nearly 75 yards behind the leaders, was evidently in no immediate hurry to lessen the distance, and smiled confidently at the entreaties of sympathizers in the throng to catch up with the trio in front. One hundred yards behind McDonald Davis was recognized.
The time of the leaders at this point was 20 minutes.
While hundreds of bicyclists followed the runners up to this point the "gallery" was greatly augmented by auto- mobiles, motor carriages, stylish equiages, equestrians and youngsters who attempted to keep pace with the runners.
Between South Framingham and Natick Hughson renewed his efforts to shake Caffrey, the latter allowing him to open up a gap of 100 yards, but no more. McDonald, who succeeded in slipping past Crimmins shortly after leaving South Framingham, once or twice spurted in the hopes of catching Caffrey napping, but his efforts were unavailing.
The town hall in Natick was passed at 12:45 by Hughson, who was leading Caffrey by about 100 yards, who in turn kept the distance between himself and McDonald at 75 yards. Crimmins was only three yards behind the third runner, while Davis and Mellor of the Hollywood A. C. of Yonkers, NY, were having a battle royal nearly one-third of a mile behind.
Wellesley was reached at 1:02. Davis passed Wellesley two minutes after Hughson had received the plaudits of the Dana hall girls of Wellesley college.
To Wellesley Hills McDonald and Crimmins ran as though yoked, but the finished style of McDonald was easily noticeable.
An unknown cyclist performed an act of heroism at Wellesley which probably averted a serious accident. A horse standing by the road became frightened at the continued applause showered upon the runners and darted across the street.
The bicyclist rode rapidly alongside, and grasping the bridle rein succeeded in bringing the animal to a stop.
Caffrey Takes the Lead.
On the steep incline to Wellesley Hills Caffrey gained the side of Hughson and soon forged ahead. Down the hill, across the railroad tracks to Newton Lower Falls Caffrey sped, increasing his lead at every stride. When the hill was encountered beyond the crossing he was leading Hughson by 150 yards or more, while McDonald was nearly half a mile ahead of Crimmins. Mellor and the Indian were now running a pretty stride for stride race, it being a tossup which would take the lead.
At the 15-mile signboard in Newton, Caffrey was leading by 250 yards, his time for the distance being 1h 21m, or nine minutes better than his time of last year. Hughson was plainly on the road to defeat, and McDonald was nearly a third of a mile behind. Crimmins was more than 220 yards behind McDonald.
McDonald at Waban overtook Hughson and once more set sail for the leader, Caffrey.
At the corner of Commonwealth Ave and Walnut St, about nine miles from the finish, Caffrey was nearly a third of a mile in front of McDonald. McDonald, in turn, was a safe distance ahead of Hughson, with Crimmins fourth and Davis a good fifth.
Going up the hill the hardy Mohawk passed Crimmins and went after the tired Hughson, overhauling him near Cedar St, West Newton. The endurance of the Indian was remarkable and he seemed to be growing better the farther he went.
A stern chase of over a mile brought him in view of McDonald, and with determination marked on every feature, Davis started to catch the pride of Cambridge and the hope of all Bostonians. On the crest of the hill overlooking the Chestnut hill reservoir the copper-skinned athlete crept up on McDonald, but the latter was instantly made aware of the presence of his rival by the Indian warhoops and catcalls which those following the contest gave voice to. Even the solicitations of his friends to shake the pursuer could not enable McDonald to widen the distance between himself and Davis, and as both squared away for the dash down the hill the Mohawk sped past.
The race was now practically all over, but the shouting, but even then the dark-visaged Indian-Frenchman was not content and increased his pace in the hope of catching Caffrey. It was a hopeless chase, however, for while the cheers of the vast crowd at the reservoir were still ringing in the ears of the champion, the Indian was a mile behind, Not even the grim determination which Davis exhibited could lessen the distance, and Caffrey romped through the deep fringe of humanity at Coolidge's corner a mile to the good.
DAVIS, THE MOHAWK, Who Finished Second.
It was one continuous reception that the victor received until he was told his journey was ended, and he nimbly jumped into the clubhouse on Exeter St. to be again examined by the corps of physicians and make ready for the street.
No less esthusiastic were the praises showed upon William Davis - he was cheered long and often.
About a quarter of a mile from the reservoir, on the Boston side, McDonald went to pieces, and was finally taken into a carriage and driven home.
While this was taking place Mellor was running on the opposite side of the streets and had stopped when McDonald faltered. He asked to be rubbed and then took advantage of McDonald's condition and romped in, winning third prize.
On Commonwealth Ave, nearly opposite St John's Ecclesiastical seminary. Hughson was seized with a severe cramp in his left leg which caused untold agony for a brief period. He gamely resumed the run, but quit after going about a mile.
When seen after the race Caffrey was in very good condition and suffered no ill effects from the long run. He expressed himself as having been confident of victory since he first entered.
William Davis, who won second prize, suffered only a slight stiffness in the left leg.
Sam A. Mellor, who finished third, is captain of the Hollywood Inn A. C. of Yonkers, NY. He is 20 years old and weighed 111 pounds when he started. During the race he lost 3½ pounds.
