The Camas Hot Springs Exchange

WHAT are the toughest, hardest running distances for man and for horse? We shoved this debate along to a number of well-known trainers who handle both the human and the equine breed.

"Years ago, many years ago," an old-time track coach told us, "we figured it was the quarter mile, which was all sprint. Then we moved it up to the half, which now is all sprint. But in the last few years we've decided that the mile is the hardest test on the human system. It was different when they were running the mile around 4:18 or 4:20. But when you turn in a mile at 4:10 or better, you are giving out all the system has to offer."

"It is possible to run a mile around four minutes flat. But we won't see that for some time. Such miles as Glenn Cunningham ran were largely sprints. They were terrific. I should say that a fast 4:10 or better mile today is the toughest race on the track."

Same for Horse

"This distance goes for a horse, too," John Partridge, the veteran, said. "The mile is the hardest race. I mean a fast mile.

"You hear people talking about the strain of a mile and a half or even two miles. They forget that in these longer distances there is a lot of half loafing. Steeplechasers can go two miles or longer, carrying 150 pounds, taking the jumps, without being worn down. But when a horse runs a mile around 1:36 he is going all out. He can't be saving anything."

This recalls Johnstown's speed and what it did to him. Johnstown in more than one workout beat 1:34. No other horse ever ran that fast.

"You hear a lot," an observing old-timer said, "about the fighters and the ball players and the football players and other competitors from years ago outranking present stars. Don't believe it. Everything is getting better. And I can prove it."

"Just how?" I asked.

"Because everything that can be measured or timed shows a sure and steady improvement over old records. New records are being set in every sport from year to year. Can't you remember when 13 feet was a record pole vault? Warmerdam will make it 16 feet before long. They are now close to seven feet in the high jump. You'll see 9.1 seconds in the 100 soon. Look at all the old swimming records. Look at practically every competition you can time or measure."

Going On

"They talk about the great pitchers of the past," he continued. "We know they were good. But suppose Bob Grove or Bob Feller had been allowed to work with a dead, half-black, or fuzzy ball? Or Dizzy Dean? You'd have seen 20 strikeouts more than once. And you'd have seen more than a few no-hit games. Bob Grove

"Can't you remember when around 295 was almost sure to win a National Open? Today they are shooting at 280. Or at least 285. I know the clubs and the balls are better and the courses are better, but the main point is that year by year they are setting new marks for a target."

"It's the pressure of competition that is forcing a faster pace.

"Certain critics are always talking about the millions who sit and watch the few play," the old-timer went on. "I wonder if they know how many millions are also playing games? Football and basketball are two of our fastest games. If you take the high schools and the colleges and the clubs, there are more than a million or two taking active part in these sports.

"It is only natural that anyone who plays a game, whatever the game, is interested in seeing stars at play in his favorite sport. But that doesn't mean that all those who sit in stands or sit and watch don't also play when they get the chance.

"Notre Dame, to many, is a university with 40 crack football players. Do they know that in one form or another Notre Dame has from 500 to 1,000 football students?"

About Jock Hutchison

Chicago has had another brilliant and colorful golfer in Jock Hutchison. Jock won the British Open, but he was never quite able to land on top in the U. S. major show.

In the old days they had to qualify in the National Open at 36 holes, and then move the next day into the tournament proper. Using his first 72 holes of play, under this order, Jock would have run away with several championships.