109: Six-day Race Part 15: Third Astley Belt Race – Finish (1879)

Ultrarunning History

By Davy Crockett You can read, listen, or watch As this concluding part of the Third Asley Belt Race opens, four elite ultrarunners were competing to be the Champion of the World in New York City in 1879, seeking to become the holder of the Astley Belt. The current world champion, Daniel O’Leary had apparently dropped out because of health reasons after 215 miles on day three. Great Britain’s best hope, Charles Rowell was in lead with 250 miles. Two others were still in the race, John Ennis of Chicago, and Charles Harriman of Massachusetts. Who would win? Don't miss part one, which included a violent riot at the start of the race. The shocking details are covered in Part one. (Read/Listen/Watch first). Please help the ultrarunning history effort continue by signing up to contribute a little each month through Patreon. Signup and get a bonus episode about the first major six-day race held in California. Visit https://www.patreon.com/ultrarunninghistory Gilmore's Garden On day three, the race continued in Gilmore’s Garden which would be renamed in a couple months to Madison Square Garden. The biggest story about this historic race wasn’t about the competition taking place on the track, it was about what occurred among the crowds of tens of thousands of spectators and the impact of the race on the entire city. Ultrarunning would emerge as the greatest spectator sport of its era in America. The New York Sun prophesied truly, "When the historian, a hundred years hence, looks over the files of this week's newspapers, he will not believe all that he finds on the subject is sober history. He will take it for a poor joke or a big humbug. And what is there to show for the week's excitement? Several heads clubbed, thousands of poor wretches encouraged in their betting and gambling proclivities, and four men worn out. This is a great country!" Tragic Accident At about 8:15 p.m., on day three, a tragic accident occurred among the spectators causing “such a scene of wild and indescribable confusion and alarm that has rarely been witnessed inside a public building.” Certainly, it was the greatest accident among spectators in ultrarunning history. A temporary upper gallery had been constructed that was divided into boxes. It was an ideal location to view the entire track and was very overcrowded with ten times the number of people intended. “A throng of ladies and gentlemen crowded every available inch of the place, some seated and many perched upon chairs and tables.” Suddenly, a portion of the gallery collapsed down upon the roof of a pavilion below. “The first intimation of the danger was the gradual settling of the flooring, then a loud, creaking noise, and away went a section of fifteen yards of the gallery, carrying with it over one hundred people.” Many, including ladies, were hurled 18 feet below. Thankfully, the structure did not collapse all at once, giving many below some time to escape, including those tending glass blower and flower bouquet stands. A few others below were less fortunate. “The frail structure broke into small pieces in the descent, and the unfortunate people who were precipitated with it were jammed between the debris, several of them being seriously injured.” The most serious injuries involved a broken leg, broken hand, broken collar bone, a spine injury, and a concussion. “A wall of struggling, groaning, maimed and terrified persons was piled up. A gashed face peeped through the broken timbers, an outstretched arm there. Panic ensued as people started stepping on injured people trying to get away.” A cloud of dust spread, seen by all in the building. It didn’t stop there. Panic spread throughout the building as some spectators thought that the entire building was collapsing. The runners stopped and left the track. A surge of people pressed forward to exit the building near the collapsed area. The police started rescue efforts among the rubble.