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1883 AAA Championships

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1883 AAA Championships
Dates30 June
Host cityLondon, England
VenueLillie Bridge Grounds
LevelSenior
TypeOutdoor
Events14
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AAA Championships

The 1883 AAA Championships was an outdoor track and field competition organised by the Amateur Athletic Association (AAA), held on Saturday 30 June at Lillie Bridge Grounds, London, England.[1]

Summary

[edit]
William Snook won three titles

Competitions commenced at three o'clock in glorious summer weather, and by the time of the 7 miles walk it was described as "blazing hot."[2][3] Wellington's Light Cavalry Band played musical selections throughout the afternoon, and at the conclusion of the sports the prizes were presented by the Countess of Jersey, wife of the Earl of Jersey, President of the AAA.[4]

The fourteen events on the programme were for men only, with heats and finals all held on the same day, with the exception of the 10 miles race, which was held on the following Monday, 2 July, at the same venue.[5] The track was one-third of a mile (586 yards 2 feet) in circumference with one long straight and three bends.[6][3] There were no heats in the field events, some of which had only two or three competitors. It was customary at the time for race winners only to have their performances recorded, therefore, in the tables below other competitors are shown with the distance each man was behind the man in front. Field event performances are shown in feet and inches as they were originally measured, with a conversion to metric measurement in parentheses. Conversions have been obtained using the International Metric Conversion Tables published by the International Amateur Athletics Federation in 1970.

There were only two foreign entries this year. Prosper Hendricks of Société Gymnastique in Brussels, Belgium, was entered in the 100 yards and 440 yards.[4] Belgium did not have national championships until 1889 and Hendricks came to England as a complete unknown.[7] He ran in ordinary running flats rather than "pumps" as spikes were known at the time, and although he reached the final of the 100 yards he did not distinguish himself in either event.[3] W. S. Hart of Manhattan AC, New York, competed in the seven miles walk but was disqualified before completing two miles.[2]

Notable absences included Thomas Ray (Ulverston AC), who had set a world record in the pole jump earlier in the summer and was expected to appear, and Patrick Davin of Ireland, who had entered the high jump but did not compete.[8][9] Walter George (Moseley Harriers), was the reigning champion in four events, and chose to defend three of them (880 yards, 1 mile, 4 miles). In two of those races he was challenged by William Snook, known as the "little wonder", who had run fast times earlier in the summer, and their contests were predicted to be a high point of the championship.[10]

Four events, 880 yards, 120 yards hurdles, long jump and hammer, saw championship best performances, while the 100 yards saw the championship best equalled for the fourth consecutive year. In winning the high jump John Parsons of Edinburgh University became the first Scottish athlete to clear six feet (1.83m).[11] John Gruer's winning performance in the hammer was a world record, adding 2 ft 4 1/2in (0.72m) to the record established by Maurice Davin at these championships in 1881.[9]

William Page Phillips (London AC) had won the 100 yards and finished second in the 440 yards in each of the three previous championships. In 1883 he did not contest the 100 yards which was won by James Cowie (London AC) who equalled the championship best of 10 1/5 seconds and also achieved the rare distinction of winning both the 100 yards and 440 yards in the same year. The only other man to achieve this is Reg Wadlsey (Highgate Harriers) in 1899. In 1923 and 1924 Eric Liddell (Edinburgh Un. AC) won both events, but only one event in each year.[1]

In the 880 yards Thomas Bryden (Clapham Rovers FC) took the early lead and at 440 yards, reached in 56 2/5, he led by eight yards from Walter George (Moseley H.) and William Birkett (London AC). As they rounded the bend at the southern end of the stadium, referred to as the Hospital End because it was adjacent to a smallpox hospital, George spurted and Bryden was quickly overhauled. With 200 yards to go Birkett overtook Bryden and caught George, then for a few yards they ran side by side but turning into the finishing straight Birkett edged ahead and won by eight yards.[3]

W. S. Hart (Manhattan AC, New York) led the 7 miles walk for the first mile, and after one more lap he was disqualified. This left W. H. Smith (Knightley FC) in the lead where he stayed for the next three miles. At that point Harry Whyatt (Notts Forest FC) caught him up and they went together for one lap but Whyatt edged ahead and by 5 miles was 36 seconds ahead. After one more mile Smith retired leaving Whyatt a large safety margin over the only two competitors left in the race. splits, 1 mile, Whyatt: 7:09, 15:22.5 (8:13.5), 23:40.5 (8:18.0), 32:04.0 (8:23.5), 40:44 (8:40), 49:12 (8:28), 59:15 (10:03).[3]

The final of the 120 yards hurdles had to be run twice. There were six entrants divided into two heats, with the first two in each heat qualifying for the final. Duncan Moul (London AC) and Ernest Lloyd (Clapton Lacrosse Club) were eliminated at this stage leaving four men in the final to be run at 4.45. W. A. Jeffries (London AC) fell at the eighth hurdle, while Samuel Palmer (Cambridge Un. AC) led at the final hurdle but was caught on the line by William Pollock (St George's Hospital AC) and the result was declared a dead heat with Charles Lockton (London AC) a distant third. The deciding tie was won in a new championship best time by Palmer who hurdled "like a deer" and left Pollock a yard and a half behind.[3]

The 1 mile had been a highly anticipated duel between two of the fastest milers in the world at that time. But Walter George (Moseley H.), the world record holder, was clearly not at his best and William Snook simply took the lead from the gun and then responded swiftly to every move George made to overtake and won easily by eight yards. Snook ran the first quarter mile in 65 seconds and reached half way in 2:09 4/5. The times for his three laps were as follows: 1:25, 2:55 3/5 (1:30 3/5), 4:25 4/5 (1:30 1/5).[3]

Ten men started the 4 miles, but half of them dropped out. William Snook (Moseley H.) took the lead through one mile (4:54) when Walter George (Moseley H.) took the lead and these two gradually eased away from the rest of the field with George in front and Snook on his shoulder. Entering the final lap there was a little bit of jostling between them and George speeded up to escape any trouble, but it soon became apparent that he had shot his bolt and Snook reeled him in and got past and won by nearly thirty yards. lap times: 1:30.8, 3:10.2 (1:39.4), 4:54 (1:43.8), 6:36 (1:42), 8:22 (1:46), 10:08 (1:46), 11:55 (1:47), 13:42 (1:47), 15:30 (1:48), 17:18 (1:48), 19:06 (1:48), 20:37 (1:31); splits, 1 mile: 4:54, 10:08 (5:14), 15:30 (5:22), 20:37 (5:07).[3]

The 10 miles was contested on Monday evening starting at 6.45, fifteen minutes later than advertised. Five men started but two of them dropped out before reaching half way. William Snook (Moseley H.) was always at the front and from five miles was on his own, winning by a little more than 200 yards. John Dixon (South London H.) who finished third, was almost lapped. splits, 1 mile: 5:03, 10:32 (5:29), 16:18 (5:46), 22:11 (5:53), 28:06 (5:55), 33:55 (5:49), 39:59 (6:04), 45:43 (5:44), 51:51 (6:08), 57:41 (5:50); 5 miles: 28:06, 57:41.0 (29:35).[12]

Results

[edit]

[13][14]

Event 1st 2nd 3rd
100 yards Scotland James John Milroy Cowie Herbert Chadwick C. Y. Bedford
440 yards Scotland James John Milroy Cowie William Page Phillips J. P. Muspratt
880 yards William Birkett Walter George Thomas Radford Bryden
1 mile William Snook Walter George Thomas Radford Bryden
4 miles William Snook Walter George George E. Lidiard
10 miles William Snook George E. Lidiard John Edwin Dixon
steeplechase Thomas Thornton James Ogden
120yd hurdles Samuel Palmer William Rivers Pollock Charles Langton Lockton
7 miles walk Harry Whyatt J. Pritchard George Philip Beckley
high jump Scotland John Whitehill Parsons Wales R. F. Houghton n/a
pole jump H. J. Cobbold n/a n/a
long jump Scotland John Whitehill Parsons Ernest W. Horwood Charles Langton Lockton
shot put Leinster Owen Harte Scotland Donald J. Mackinnon Alfred Robert Sieveking
hammer throw Scotland John D. Gruer Scotland Donald J. Mackinnon Leinster Owen Harte

Event summary

[edit]
100 yards
Pos Athlete Club Time / Dist
1. James John Milroy Cowie London AC 10 1/5
2. Herbert Chadwick Birchfield H. 1 1/2 yd
3. C. Y. Bedford London AC 1 yd
4. N. W. Howard McLean London AC 2 yd
5. Prosper Hendricks Societe Gymnastique Bruussels, Belgium "simply nowhere"

Notes: no heats.

440 yards
Pos Athlete Club Time / Dist
1. James John Milroy Cowie London AC 51sec.
2. William Page Phillips London AC 2 yd
3. J. P. Muspratt London AC 10 yd

Notes: 2 heats, first two in each heat qualified for the final. Henry Ball (London AC), the defending champion, qualified for the final but did not finish.

880 yards
Pos Athlete Club Time / Dist
1. William Birkett London AC 1:58
2. Walter Goodall George Moseley H. 1:58 2/5
3. Thomas Radford Bryden Clapham Rovers FC 20 yd
4. H. T. Chalon London AC
5. W. Lock Spartan H.

Notes: George's time is sometimes given as 1:58 4/5. Bryden and Chalon beat standard time of 2:02

1 mile
Pos Athlete Club Time / Dist
1. William Snook Moseley H. 4:25 4/5
2. Walter Goodall George Moseley H. 4:26 3/5
3. Thomas Radford Bryden Clapham Rovers FC 4:31 2/5
4. W. T. Etkins Birchfield H.
5. J. G. Clabburn London AC
6. F. Woolnaugh Clapton Beagles

Notes: ...

4 miles
Pos Athlete Club Time / Dist
1. William Snook Moseley H. 20:37
2. Walter Goodall George Moseley H. 20:44
3. George E. Lidiard London AC 21:29
4. C. Catlin Blackheath H. 21:35
5. John Edwin Dixon South London H. 22:09

Notes: John Dixon later changed his name to Fowler-Dixon

10 miles
Pos Athlete Club Time / Dist
1. William Snook Moseley H. 57:41
2. George E. Lidiard London AC 58:37 3/5
3. John Edwin Dixon London AC 59:37

Notes: Lillie Bridge, 2 July, only 3 finished

Steeplechase
Pos Athlete Club Time / Dist
1. Thomas Thornton Birchfield H. 11:40 1/5
2. James Ogden Birchfield H. 25 yds

Notes: only 2 finished

120 yards hurdles
Pos Athlete Club Time / Dist
1. Samuel Palmer Cambridge Un. AC 16 1/5
2. William Rivers Pollock St George's Hospital AC 1 1/2 yd
3. Charles Langton Lockton London AC

Notes: 2 heats, first two in each heat qualify for the final.

High Jump
Pos Athlete Club Time / Dist
1. John Whitehill Parsons Fettesian-Lorettonian / Edinburgh Un. AC 6 ft 0 1/4in (1.83m)
2. R. F. Houghton Newport FC 5 ft 8in (1.72m)

Notes: only 2 competitors

Pole Jump
Pos Athlete Club Time / Dist
1. H. J. Cobbold Felixstowe CC 9 ft 6in (2.89m)

Notes: only 1 competitor

Long Jump
Pos Athlete Club Time / Dist
1. John Whitehill Parsons Fettesian-Lorettonian / Edinburgh H. 23 ft 0 1/4in (7.01m)
2. Ernest W. Horwood Blackheath H. 21 ft 11 1/2in (6.69m)
3. Charles Langton Lockton London AC 20 ft 11 1/2in (6.39m)
4. R. F. Hougton Moseley H.
5. P. H. Hendricks Belgium

Notes: 5 competitors. the world record at this point was 23 ft 1 1/2in (7.05m).

Shot Put
Pos Athlete Club Time / Dist
1. Owen Harte Dublin R.I.C, Ireland 41 ft 1in (12.52m)
2. Donald J. Mackinnon London Scottish FC 39 ft 2in (11.94m)
3. Alfred Robert Sieveking St Mary's Hospital AC 36 ft 2in (11.02m)
4. William Young Winthrop London AC

Notes: Owen Harte was a member of the Royal Irish Constabulary, based in Dublin.

Hammer
Pos Athlete Club Time / Dist
1. John D. Gruer Scottish Club 101 ft 2 1/2in (30.84m)
2. Donald J. Mackinnon London Scottish RFC 92 ft 2in (28.10m)
3. Owen Harte Dublin R.I.C, Ireland 91 ft 5in (27.86m)
4. William Young Winthrop London AC
5. Walter Lawrence London AC

Notes: only 5 competitors

7 miles walk
Pos Athlete Club Time / Dist
1. Harry Whyatt Notts Forest FC 59:15
2. J. Pritchard Birchfield H. 59:20
3. George Philip Beckley London AC 59:55

Notes: 7 competitors but only 3 finished

Championship best performance
Event Athlete Time / Dist Year
100 yards William Page Phillips (London AC) 10 1/5 1880
William Page Phillips (London AC) 10 1/5 1882
James John Milroy Cowie (London AC) 10 1/5 1883
440 yards Henry Rawlins Ball (London AC) 50 1/5 1882
880 yards William Birkett (London AC) 1:58 1883
1 mile Bernhard Wise (Australia / Oxford Un. AC) 4:24 2/5 1881
4 miles George Morley Nehan (Blackheath H.) 20:26 1/5 1881
10 miles George Augustus Dunning (Clapton Beagles) 54:34 1881
120 yards hurdles Samuel Palmer (Cambridge Un. AC) 16 1/5 1883
High jump Patrick Davin (Ireland) 6 ft 1/2in (1.84m) 1881
Pole jump Thomas Ray (Ulverston CC) 11 ft 3in (3.43m) 1881
Long jump John Whitehill Parsons (Edinburgh H.) 23 ft 0 1/4in (7.01m) 1883
Shot put George McKenzie Ross (Patricroft) 42 ft 4in (12.90m) 1882
Hammer John D. Gruer (Scottish Club) 101 ft 2 1/2in (30.84m) 1883
7 miles walk John W. Raby (Elland) 54:48 2/5 1881

"Notes:" Performances in the Steeplechase are not comparable until the event was standardised in the 1930s.

[edit]

National Union of Track Statisticians [1]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Ian Buchanan "AAA Championships 1880-1939" National Union of Track Statisticians (2003)
  2. ^ a b "Morning Post", Mon 2 Jul 1883 p. 2
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h "Sporting Life", Mon 2 Jul 1883 p. 3
  4. ^ a b "Sporting Life", Sat 30 Jun 1883 p. 4
  5. ^ "The Sportsman", Sat 30 Jun 1883 p. 3
  6. ^ "The Sportsman", Mon 5 Jul 1880 p. 4
  7. ^ André de Hooghe "Belgian Outdoor Championships 1889-1944"
  8. ^ "Freeman's Journal", Mon 2 Jul 1883 p. 5
  9. ^ a b Richard Hymans "World Record Progressions" International Amateur Athletics Federation (2015)
  10. ^ "Warwick and Warwickshire Advertiser", Sat 30 Jun 1883 p. 7
  11. ^ John Burrowes "Great Glasgow Characters" Random House (2011)
  12. ^ "London Evening Standard", Tue 3 Jul 1883 p. 3
  13. ^ "AAA, WAAA and National Championships Medallists". National Union of Track Statisticians. Retrieved 24 July 2024.
  14. ^ "The Amateur Athletic Championships". London Daily Chronicle. 2 July 1883. Retrieved 24 July 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
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