Edward Payson Weston walked against the British in 1876

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By Davy Crockett

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The six-day challenge (running as far as you could in six days) originally started in England during the late 1700s. Fifty years later, in the 1820s, a six-day frenzy occurred as many British athletes sought to reach 400 or more miles in six days (see episode 91). But then, six-day attempts were essentially lost for the next 50 years. Surprisingly, it was the Americans who resurrected these events in the early 1870s and brought them indoors for all to witness.

The Brits believed they owned the running sport and surely their athletes were superior and could beat the upstart Americans, Edward Payson Weston and Daniel O’Leary. It was written, “They cannot be expected to be much better than those bred in England.” Both American and British runners/walkers wanted to prove that they were the best and challenges were sent back and forth across the Atlantic Ocean. The British did not realize that in 1875, there was no one truly skilled and trained in England to do heel-toe walking for the distances that Weston and O’Leary were doing in America. Thus, Weston took the English bait and boarded a steamship to England.

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British Pedestrian Talent

The British attitude toward Americans in athletics at the time was characterized in one of their sporting newspapers. “Americans have long looked upon us as being far behind the times, while they have prided themselves on their ability to go ahead of all creation. This may be true, or it may not be so, but there can be no doubt that we have on all occasions shown ourselves fully equal to them in all branches of sport.” Another explained it this way, “We Englishmen only believe what we see of American prowess is the extreme untruthfulness of American sportsmen. We are not in the least degree jealous of their athletic prowess, we are only skeptical.”

The current Pedestrian hero in England was William T. Perkins, “The Champion Walker in England.” On September 20, 1875, at the Lillie Bridge grounds in London, England, the home of the London Athletic Club, he covered eight miles in 59:05 in front of 5,000 people. In England “Pedestrianism” was not limited to walking, it included distance running and short-distance “sprint running.” But interest was low. During December 1875, a Sporting newspaper wrote, “Professional pedestrianism is at its lowest ebb in London.” The first long-distance running race, professional or amateur in more than a year was scheduled for December 26^th that year, a ten mile-race held at Lillie Bridge.

Reaction in England to Weston-O’Leary Race

British sports writers doubted the results of the December 1875 Weston-O’Leary six-day race in Chicago won by O’Leary (see episode 98). A respected British sportswriter, Easterling, wrote, “Either O’Leary is a wonder of endurance such as has never been before even dream of, or he isn’t, and that can only be tested by his walking against some known man round a large ground or on a road. Not to mince matters, the reason we Englishmen only believe what we see of American prowess, is the extreme untruthfulness of American sportsmen.”

A running/walking expert in London carefully looked over the statistics of the Weston-O’Leary six-day race. He was impressed with the amount of data collected but wondered about competing that distance in “a covered building.” Indoor running competitions were not yet taking place in England, and it was believed that there were many British professional athletes who could beat “the Yankee horses,” Weston or O’Leary, easily on roads outside, rather than in comfy looping indoor accommodations, events which they referred to as “dreary tramps.”

The Brits challenged O’Leary to come to England and walk a mid-distance race against their champion walker, Perkins. During December 1875, a reply was sent from William Curtis (1837-1900), the referee of the Weston-O’Leary race, who boasted in the New York Sportsman: “It would be good betting to wager that any man who is champion of England cannot, on a named day, equal O’Leary’s performance. He will not walk a match at less than 100 miles but will walk any man in the world a match at 100-200 miles for any reasonable amount, say, between $2-5,000.”

At the end of December 1875, Perkins issued a proposal to O’Leary for home-and-home 100-mile matches in American and England. O’Leary agreed and sent a first deposit of 100 pounds to Perkins to start planning for a match first to be held in America. A British sporting newspaper wrote, “O’Leary will have to do something very smart in walking if he is to have any chance of defeating our little wonder.” They thought the Yankee was “cute” but did not stand a chance against Perkins.

Weston Goes to England

But it would be Weston who would first compete against the Brits. He and his wife boarded a steamer and arrived in England on Christmas Day, 1875. A few days later, he headed for the London Athletic Club at Lillie Bridge.

Why had Weston traveled to England? He mentioned mistreatment during his walks in America. It was reported, “His chief object in coming to this country, ‘the home of his ancestors’ was to obtain a fair record of his capabilities of what he is able to do as a long-distance walker, his own countrymen refusing him this favour, and we trust he is satisfied with the reception he has met with.”

The British press was very skeptical about all of Weston’s claims, especially his 500-miles in six days, which was said to be “rubbish.” They were anxious to see him fail in full view of the British sportsmen. “Edward Payson Weston has arrived in England to convince the skeptical and satisfy the curious. No aspirant for pedestrian honours ever came before the public with such flourish of trumpets.”

In Dublin, Ireland, it was written, “Every true Briton has laughed to scorn the bragging of Weston, the great Yankee pedestrian, who had blown his own trumpet so loudly that its echo had reached across the Atlantic and told us how he could walk round the shores of Great Britain.”

Weston was in England for more than a month before he was able to finally put together a walking exhibition. A dozen American residents in London asked him to perform and likely offered funding. They wrote, “believing that an illustration of your marvelous powers of speed and endurance would be of interest to the public, and particularly to the medical profession, respectfully request that you take an early opportunity to give an exhibition of pedestrianism in this city.”

Weston quickly responded and announced that on February 8, 1876, he would attempt to walk 115 miles in 24 hours. He then issued a “friendly challenge” to Perkins to race against him to win a silver cup that Weston was putting up. Perkins accepted “cheerfully.”

The historic race would be held at the Royal Agricultural Hall, Islington, London, the first of many ultrarunning races to be held inside that structure. No Englishman yet dared to race six days against Weston, but this 24-hour race would kick off the golden age of Pedestrianism in England and would open the door to six-day races outside of America.

The Agricultural Hall at Islington, London, England

The Agricultural Hall, in Islington, London, England, opened in 1862, built for livestock shows, but was also used for public events and large-scale exhibitions. It sometimes attracted as many 130,000 visitors during a week. It was a massive building, 384 feet by 217 feet. The impressive arched roof was an iron-and glass structure over the massive main hall. At night the interior was lit by 4,000 gaslights with the addition of several giant illuminated chandeliers that hung from the ceiling. It became London’s premier public venue for many types of shows. By 1876 it was used by trapeze artists, bicycle races, horse races, religious services, country fairs, and cattle shows. It could be configured to accommodate 18,000 spectators.

William Perkins

William T. Perkins, age 23, was born in London, England. He was described as “unquestionably the fastest walker we have ever had in England.” He was 5 feet 6, weighed 132 pounds, a “smart-looking young man” with broad shoulders, short back and had very muscular thighs. Even though he was “the champion,” his walking career had covered only a few years.

He had worked his way to fame very quietly since 1869 at the age of only 17 and appeared in several short distance walking races. He achieved his first win in 1870, at the age of eighteen. In 1874, he won a three-mile championship against Joe Stockwell, of Camberwell, England, “one of the finest and fastest walkers ever seen” and beat him easily, giving him his champion title. Perkin’s eight-mile walk in under an hour in September 1875 at the Lillie Bridge grounds was considered by the British as being the “summit of pedestrian accomplishments.” After Weston arrived in England, Perkins had anticipated a match against him and had been training for several week weeks at Nottingham with his trainer, John Boot (1838-1920). To make sure Perkins could go long distances, he gave an exhibition with an 18-mile test walk that went well in 2:34.

Weston vs. Perkins

As the historic race came closer, there was worry among the British sportsmen. “W. Perkins is only famed for going short distances with great speed, and it remains to be seen if he will be able to stay.” But Weston’s claimed feats were viewed as so extraordinary that by many they were considered to be too good to be true. “At last Englishmen have the opportunity of judging for themselves the capabilities of American walkers.”

Two tracks were prepared inside the Agricultural Hall. Weston’s inner track was composed of dirt on wood, seven laps to a mile, and Perkins unwisely chose for his outer track to be composed of only hard bare wood, six and a half laps to a mile. Weston’s track turned out to be three yards too long, but he agreed to just concede that extra distance to Perkins. The event, the first of its kind in the Agricultural Hall, was promoted as a dignified affair, “Both men will be dressed in chaste and genteel apparel, nothing stronger than coffee will be sold at the bar, smoking is positively forbidden in the building and hundreds of ladies belonging to England’s proudest nobility have already promised to be present.”

The race started at 9:25 p.m. on February 8, 1876, in front of 5,000 spectators in the massive hall. Weston was dressed in “a velvet coat, a jaunty hat, white kid gloves, top boots, and carried a thin riding whip in his hand.” Perkins, in a white shirt and dark knee-length shorts, went out very fast and at 15 miles held a lead of about a mile. Soon the “gentility outfits” gave way to “the thinnest of light jerseys.” The two walkers could reverse direction whenever they wanted after completing a lap.

The British were thrilled to see Perkins building a nice lead. “It at once became apparent that Perkins is far better than his opponent. Perkins’s style is simply perfect, with long rapid strikes, striking well out from the hips. He covers the ground at a tremendous pace and uses his arms in a way that seems to help him along. Weston on the other hand, reminds one of a country farmer swinging along when trying to make up for lost time.”

The event was described as “monotony” as the men walked through the night. By police policy, the hall had to be cleared of spectators at 12:30 a.m. and servants went through the building ringing handbells signaling that it was time to exit. But many ignored the order and policemen made efforts to chase down offenders who would even hide in the roof rafters. “Numbers of people concealed themselves in the gallery and other secluded spots, and a succession of chases and captures helped to pass away some tedious hours. Meanwhile the men ploughed steadily on.”

After all had been cleared out except for the walkers, handlers, judges, and press, “the only audible sounds were the tread of the pedestrians and the voices of the judges marking the laps and time. As the small hours drew on the pedestrians pursued their monotonous pilgrimage through the gloom like phantoms of the night.”

At 5 a.m. the public was allowed back into the hall. Some had anxiously waited all night out in the cold by the gates. Perkins was at 39 miles, with Weston about one mile behind. At 50 miles Perkin’s lead was 18 minutes. But soon Perkins crashed and burned as his feet developed terrible blisters from walking on the hard surface and because he had never trod that long distance before.

Weston took the lead at mile 59. Perkins’ boots were full of blood and his bloody socks had to be cut off his feet. He finally quit after reaching 65 miles and Weston went on to reach 100 miles in 21:55 with loud cheers and finished with 109 miles in the allotted 24 hours. He walked an extra lap as officials cleared the way for him with umbrellas and sticks, and then he was “fairly mobbed” by the adoring crowd. “The crowd outside increased and they broke open the doors and filled the hall, cheering the victor loudly.”

British Reaction to the Defeat

Many British skeptics were convinced and ate a piece of humble pie. “We candidly admit that Weston is par excellence in this particular branch of pedestrianism, the very best man we have ever seen.” London’s Sporting Life reported, “Much as we pride ourselves on our national pluck and endurance, and the invincibility of our athletic champions, in this great international walking contest, we have to acknowledge a defeat, the palm of victory having been carried off by the American.”

Also from London: “All staunch patriots are somewhat crest-fallen today. Our champion walker has been beaten by the champion walker of America. Every true Briton had laughed to scorn the bragging of Weston, who had blown his own trumpet so loudly that its echo had reached across the Atlantic.”

Perkins was also humbled and admitted that he had been beat easily by Weston in “a performance which has never been equaled in this country.” He knew that no pedestrian in England had an “earthly chance keeping up with” Weston until they did proper strict training for ultra-distances. O’Leary, hearing of the victory, was anxious to leave for England to prove that he could also beat Perkins. However, Perkins wisely cancelled the match with O’Leary that was scheduled for March.

Ultradistance pedestrianism fever truly took hold in England. The papers published history from long ago when Englishmen Foster Powell and Captain Barclay were on top of the ultrarunning world. It was time for British athletes to wake up and not let the Americans beat them at the sport originally created in England. “The public was aroused from a state of apathy to a gradually kindling interest, and when at last it was announced to the world that the arrangements were completed, the result was awaited with eager anticipation.”

America’s Reaction to Their Victory

Even though many Americans despised Weston, numerous were giddy with his performance and victory against a Brit. Telegraph cables were sent every few hours during the race to American newspapers via the transatlantic cable. It was joked that Congress would introduce a bill to have an oil painting of Weston’s legs be hung up in the rotunda of the U.S. Capitol. Detroit cruelly added, “The suggestion can be much improved upon by hanging Weston himself in the rotunda, legs and all.”

Yes, many newspapers couldn’t help themselves and take shots at Weston. In Detroit, the headline was, “Weston, the Pedestrian, Finds a Worse Failure than Himself.” In Chicago, O’Leary’s hometown: “Weston the walker, who has been beaten by nearly every pedestrian of note in America, has a last achieved a victory. Knowing from experience that competition with his own countrymen was a useless expenditure of wind and muscle on his part, he went to London and defeated Perkins. He had better remain in London.” In Cincinnati, Ohio, “Aha! Our American pedestrian, Weston, has beaten the English champion. Now is the time to die covered with glory, and the 50 pounds he has won will cover his funeral expenses.”

Weston Continued to Win in England

Weston issued more challenges and the British news commented, “That Weston will achieve the best performances on record from upwards of a hundred miles, we have but little doubt.” Weston next soundly beat Alexander Clark in a 48-hour race. Clark had previously held the fastest known time in England, walking 50 miles but could only manage 54 miles against Weston, who reached 180 miles. Weston even played “God Save the Queen” at times on his cornet as he walked. During this race, a spectator fell from the girders under the roof breaking his arm in three places and losing some teeth. He was rushed to the hospital “frightfully mutilated and insensible.”

How would Weston perform, competing against a true runner? Next up was a 75-hour match against Charles Rowell (1852-1909), a Cambridge rower, and a fairly new pedestrian who would eventually become one of the greatest ultrarunners ever. He was allowed to run as Weston walked, and went out to an early big lead. But on this occasion, even with running, he was no match for Weston who crushed him with 275 miles to 176.

The First Six-Day Race in England

Weston next wanted to prove to England how far he could walk in six days. With only ten days of recovery since his 275-mile walk, a six-day race was scheduled for the Agricultural Hall.

The Six-Day Competitors

Weston offered a cup valued at 100 pounds to anyone who could walk further than him in six days. Many men sent letters into The Sporting Life newspaper, applying to compete, but when race day came, only two daring runners showed up at the start.

Alfred Taylor, age 32, was a former soldier who had experience going on a march walking 50 miles a day for six days in the hot sun while stationed in India. He was a typesetter who showed up just in time to participate.

James Martin, age 52 of Maidstone, England, was also a former soldier and war hero who served in India and Crimea where he was severely wounded. He was a veteran ultrarunner, the current 50-mile world record holder, which he set back in 1863, running on the Maidstone Turnpike from London to Hereford in 6:17. He would hold that world record until 1879. His participation was somewhat honorary, but he planned to go as far as he could and then trade off with another walker, W. Newman.

The rules for the race stated that if either man fell behind Weston by 50 miles, they had to stop, but could appoint a replacement walker as was the in the first six-day race in the Hippodrome a year earlier (see episode 95). To justify the benefit of the race, and counter critics who thought it was nonsense, it was announced that doctors would attend to gather a report for medical science, and thus the race was “deemed of service to the community at large.”

Day One

The race started on March 6, 1876, at 12:03 a.m. “As the big clock chimed twelve, men stationed at different parts, lit the gas simultaneously, and the men immediately came out on the course. Weston taking up his position on the inner track, and Martin and Taylor on the outer, both standing back-to-back.”

Weston was in his usual velvet garb, the others dressed in green, wearing cricketer’s caps. Weston walked in the opposite direction on the track from the other two. Taylor started out in the lead, walking fast with an 11:10 mile.

Martin took a bad fall around mile seven. “He fell forward onto his face near the western end in a fainting state, but after cold water was applied to his head and neck, he was able to resume his journey after a stoppage of about three minutes.” He went on to really struggle during the night.

By 10 a.m. Weston was at mile 47, Taylor 45, and Martin 23. After 70 miles, Weston stretched out his lead. He reached 95 miles during the first day.

Day Two

After 36 hours Weston had walked 128 miles, Taylor 95, and Martin 60. Martin had fallen behind more than 50 miles, but was allowed to continue, however no longer eligible for any prize.

Later in the afternoon of day two, “Martin, in accordance with medical advice, was ordered to leave the track, his place supplied by a man called Newman. Taylor was ordered to bed by the judges in consequence of his prostrate condition and told to rest until the morning.”

W. Newman was from Somerstown England, and had previously won two 20-mile races. It certainly was unwise to have these low-mileage runners trying to complete. Newton started at 8:45 p.m. when Weston was at 158 miles and started out at a tremendously fast pace. At the end of day two, Weston had reached mile 173.

Day Three

In the morning of day three, all three were back on the track. Taylor had rested for more than 13 hours and “contrary to the advice of his friends, foolishly resumed walking again.” Through the morning he halted continually and struggled in deep pain.

By 1 p.m., Weston was at 209 miles, Taylor 120, and Newman 50. Reporters used a mobile telegraph office that was set up on the north side of the hall where they could send reports to newspapers all over the world. At noon, the medical stuff declared that Taylor was unfit to continue. He protested, but he was ordered by the judges to leave the track. His total distance was 122 miles. It was said that Weston’s competitors “had subsided like mist before the rising sun.”

During the evening. Weston and Newman put on a show for the crowd of 2,000, doing several sprints against each other. Newman reached about 90 miles during his first 24 hours which was very good for a rookie. Each night the spectators exited the building at midnight. Only judges, reporters, handlers, and the walkers were allowed to remain. Weston reached 243 miles by the end of the third day and bets were 4 to 1 against his ability to still reach 500 miles.

The Finish

Weston reached 318 miles on day four. At times he would ask the band to play soothing quiet tunes like “The Sleep of Diana” before he turned in for some sleep. At the end of day five, he had reached 387 miles, far off the target for his hoped-for 500 miles.

On the final day, a staggering 16,000 spectators crowded into the building to watch. “Towards the evening, the number of visitors kept constantly increasing, and their presence and applause visibly cheered the tired pedestrian. Handkerchiefs were waved to inspire him still further to persevered ‘bravos’ and such familiar salutations greeted his progress at every step. To these Weston constantly responded, kissing his hand, and pressing his heart in acknowledgement.” Spectators brought down numerous bouquets of flowers and they went crazy when he marched around with the band, playing his cornet, stopping at the judges stand to play “The Last Rose of Summer” and “God Save the Queen.”

When the pistol fired signaling the end of the 144 hours, Weston had reached 450 miles. He climbed into the judges’ box and gave a short speech, thanking everyone for their kindness and expressed his affection for England. The great sportsman, Sir John Dugdale Astley (1828-1894), who would in the future play a prominent role in the promotion of six-day races, was in the box and congratulated Weston. Weston was then carried away in triumph to a room in the hall to get some rest. Newman ended his walk with an impressive 190 miles in a little more than four days.

Coca Leaves Scandal

A week later, a British doctor who observed Weston during the six-day race revealed that he had seen Weston chew on coca leaves that were likely obtained from South America. The doctor confronted Weston twice during the race about it and he declined to comment. He had tried to hide his use from the doctors. Later Weston begged the doctor to say nothing about it. But it all came out.

Finally, the scandal forced Weston to write a letter to a London newspaper. He admitted that he also chewed on the coca leaves during his 24-hour race with Perkins and said they did not enhance his performance, but only helped him to prepare to sleep. He also admitted to using them in previous events in America. He wrote, “Nature should not be outraged by the use of artificial stimulants in any protracted trial.” Surprisingly, the British seemed to accept his explanation. America’s reaction was less forgiving, and coca was touted as being the secret to Weston’s endurance.

Within a month, professors at Edinburgh, Scotland soon tested the use of coca with endurance walking and discovered that it reduced the pulse and fatigue. Over the years the use of coca leaves has proved to act as a mild stimulant that suppresses hunger, thirst, pain, and fatigue. Its alkaloids are a source of cocaine and now the leaves’ use are illegal in the U.S. and banned by the World Anti-Doping Code.

The British Seek to Beat Weston

Reaction in Britain to the highly publicized six-day race, was similar to what had occurred in America. Others, even without proper training wanted to also get attention by attempting to walk six days, trying to do better than Weston. In London, one reporter wrote, “Several of our countrymen have come forward [boasting] of their ability to beat all that Weston has done in England or America. Only Newman showed anything above form that could not have been surpassed by any ordinary rural postman or policemen.” Joseph Spencer was the first, trying to walk 110 miles in 24 hours in the Agricultural Hall. But after 22 hours and only 75 miles, he could barely walk and was carried off the track “in a helpless condition.”

The Sporting Life in London explained a couple months later in May 1876, “Before Weston came over and put long-distance walkers on their mettle, a walking race of over seven miles was of rare occurrences. But since the American’s exhibitions of endurance, there has been much discussion as to the relative merits of English and American walkers, and number of matches at all distances have been decided in various parts of the country, though only in a few instances were the performances at all noteworthy. Many began to believe that we had no men in the country able to cope successfully against the American at any distance over fifty miles.”

To solve this embarrassment, British athletes were further encouraged by prize money raised by the owners of the Agricultural Hall “to see if England cannot produce a better pedestrian than the American representative, Weston” and race for 24 hours. About 100 men sent in applications to participate, 16 were selected, and 14 started. Weston declined to participate on the single-shared track and he likely feared defeat. On May 8, 1876, the British ultrawalkers were finally successful in England’s first “Great Walking Match of 24 Hours” attended by 5,000 spectators. Henry “Harry” Vaughan (1848-1888), age 27, a carpenter/architect from Chester, England, nearly six feet tall, broke O’Leary’s 100-mile world walking record with 18:51:35 by about two minutes, and also broke Weston’s 24-hour world walking mark (117) with 120 miles. (The current 100-mile running world record was 17:52:00, set by Edward Rayner of Great Britain in 1824, at Biddenden, England). Vaughan returned to his home as a national hero. The British were on their way to compete again in ultrarunning and finally had “taken the wind out of the American walker’s sails.”

The parts of this Six-Day Race series:

Sources:

P. S. Marshall, King of the Peds
Tom Osler and Ed Dodd, Ultramarathoning: The Next Challenge
Matthew Algeo, Pedestrianism: When Watching People Walk Was America’s Favorite Spectator Sport
P. S. Marshall, Henry Vaughan
Nick and Helen Harris, P. S. Marshall, A Man in a Hurry: The Extraordinary Life and Times of Edward Payson Weston, the World’s Greatest Walker
Sporting Gazette (England), Dec 11, 1875, Jan 22, 1876
The Sportsman (London, England), Jan 18, 1876
Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News (England), Dec 11, 25, 1875, Feb 19, 1876
Weekly Independent (London, England), Dec 11, 1875
Ulster Examiner and Northern Star (Scotland), Dec 8, 1875
Sporting Times (England), Jan 29, Feb 9, 1876
Islington Gazette (London, England), Feb 9, 1876
Detroit Free Press (Michigan), Feb 10, 1876
The Morning Herald (Wilmington, Delaware), Feb 10, 1876
Glasgow Herald (Scotland), Feb 10, 1876
The Yorkshire Herald (York, England), Feb 8, 10, 14, 1976
The Inter Ocean (Chicago, Illinois), Feb 10, 1876
The Freeman’s Journal (Dublin, Ireland), Feb 12, 1876
Sporting Life (London, England), Jan 29, Feb 12, Mar 4-5, 8, 11, 15, 25, April 1, May 13, 1876
The Pittsburgh Commercial (Pennsylvania), Feb 12, 1876
Chicago Weekly Post and Mail (Illinois), Feb 17, 1876
Globe (London, England), Jan 29, Feb 9, 1876
Sheffield Daily Telegraph (Yorkshire, England), Feb 2, 1876
The Isle of Man Weekly Times (Douglas, Isle of Man, England), Feb 12, 1876
Reynold’s Newspaper (London, England), Feb 13, 1876
Nottinghamshire Guardian (England), Feb 11, 1876
The Standard (London, England), Mar 6, 1876
London Evening Standard, March 8, 1876.
York Herald (Yorkshire, England), Mar 8, 1876
Edinburgh Evening News (Scotland), Mar 8, 1876
The Leeds Mercury (West Yorkshire, England), Mar 18, 1876

99: Six-Day Race Part 7: Weston Invades England (1876)

By Davy Crockett