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Harry Hutchens (born Henry Hutchins, 1858 – 2 January 1939) was a professional British runner. Hutchens became a messenger at Putney railway station at 14 and soon discovered he was a fast runner. He became a professional in 1876. Hutchens died poor and in obscurity in 1939 but received an obituary from ''The New York Times''.〔 == Athletic career == In 1920, American Olympic champion and writer Ellery Harding Clark declared that Harry Hutchens was "the greatest sprinter the world had ever seen."〔 Hutchens is regarded by many observers as the greatest sprinter of the 19th century. Hutchens always ran from a standing start and set nine professional world records in all. His ''New York Times'' obituary claimed that he went unbeaten for 15 years.〔''New York Times'' obituary (5 January 1939)〕 Hutchens ran 131.25 yards (120 meters) in 12.2 seconds at the Sheffield Handicap in 1882 (the equivalent of 10.3 for 100 meters).〔 He was timed at 9.75 seconds for 100y in 1887. Hutchens ran 140 yards in 13.5 seconds in 1885. He ran 150 yards in 14.5 Seconds in 1887. In 1885 he ran 350 yards (320 meters) in 38.4 seconds.〔Roberto Quercetani and Gustavo Pallicca (2003) ''A World History of Sprint Racing 1850–2005''. ISBN 8887110751〕 On 2 January 1884, Hutchens clocked 30.0 seconds for 300 yards (274 meters) on the grass track at the Powderhall meet in Edinburgh, easing up. Doug Walker, the 1998 European 200 meter champion and European record holder for 300 meters, tried to beat Hutchen’s time in 1999. He also ran in January in Edinburgh but only managed to run 30.05 seconds. After the race, Walker said "It was an amazing run, absolutely amazing. Apparently he (Hutchens) had his hands in the air, celebrating, from 30 yards out. Some runner."〔Doug Walker (9 January 1999) "The ghost of Harry Hutchens stalks Meadowbank as an ancient record stays intact". ''The Independent''〕 According to Edward Seldon Sears, Hutchens ran a time-trial in 29.5 seconds before the Powderhall race.〔Edward Seldon Sears (2001) ''Running Through the Ages''. McFarland. ISBN 0786409711〕 In 1887 Hutchens was due to compete in the "The Race of the Century", as the newspapers of the day billed the 120 yards world championship race between himself and Harry Gent. Gent had emerged as a rival after running the equivalent of 9.7 for 100 yards to win the Sheffield Handicap. The Lillie Bridge stadium in London was packed with 15,000 spectators. The race did not take place because the bookmakers feared they would lose money. They discovered that Gent had secretly broken down in training. The two runners were bundled out of a side-entrance. "They stood over me in the dressing-room with open knives and bottles," Hutchens told The Sporting Life. "They swore they would murder me if I tried to run." When their non-appearance was announced, the crowd set fire to the stadium. This prompted the demise of pedestrianism, as the popular sport of racing for prize money was known in its 19th-century heyday.〔 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Harry Hutchens」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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