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| On this day 101 years ago, Cornelius Connolly stormed through here on his way to the fastest time in the first Dipsea Race. When interviewed for the San Francisco Chronicle after the race, he said, "When they sent me away I went at it on a run, and one by one I had them behind me until I left what I thought was the last near the Lone Tree. I went down to the ocean at a fast gait, always thinking that I had the prize to win. When I got straightened out on the beach I saw someone running ahead of me, and I could not understand it, but tried to get him. But 'nix,' he was going like a cyclone. I don't know where that kid got his speed." And the Chronicle writer added, "There was the best of sportsmanlike spirit shown by the contestants. When a man would catch up with those ahead and show signs that he wanted to go by, those in the lead would give him room to pass. There was no holding the trail to keep the lead. When Connolly came up with a number near Lone Tree they realized that he was going at a killing pace, and they stopped and gave him a great cheer as he went by." Clearly, the 1905 runners well understood that a racers' time was the measure of his athleticism, while his sportsmanship was the measure of a far more important quality, his character. |