102: Six Day Race Part 9: Women’s Six-day Frenzy (1876)

Ultrarunning History

By Davy Crockett You can read, listen, or watch Women's Six-Day Race In 1876, Chicago, Illinois was the six-day race capital of the world. A six-day race frenzy broke out in many other cities, after the incredible Mary Marshall vs. Bertha Von Hillern race was held in February 1876. (see episode 101). They showed America that not only could men pile up miles in six days, but women could too, even mothers. Both men and women sought to race for fame and fortune, even some who weren’t properly trained. There were so many people who wanted a piece of this action that the Chicago Tribune wrote that it would no longer publish challenges unless there was proof that money had been forfeited (secured) for a six-day wager. This new policy was put in place “in view of the extraordinary lunacy which has lately been prevalent among the boys and women of Chicago on the question of walking matches and challenges.” The 1876 six-day craze took place especially among women. This episode will continue to tell the story of the earliest women six-day races. At least twelve six-day races involving women were held in 1876. Pedestrian historians have missed most of this history. The forgotten story has been discovered and can now be told. Please consider supporting ultrarunning history by signing up to contribute a little each month through Patreon. Visit https://www.patreon.com/ultrarunninghistory Millie Rose vs. Anna Mattice in Cincinnati Millie Rose, age 27, the infamous cowhide-wielding fiery pedestrian originally from England, had tasted some of the exciting six-day race between Mary Marshall and Bertha Von Hillern in early February 1876. (See episode 101). She immediately wanted a race of her own and found it in Cincinnati, Ohio. There, she competed against Anna Mattice, a Canadian living in Cincinnati, who was an "older runner." The race began on February 14, 1876, at the Cincinnati Exposition Hall, on a track measured to be 15 laps to the mile. Rose, who had not yet won a race, claimed to be “the champion female pedestrian of America.” For a surprise side-show during this Cincinnati race, Rose’s seven-year-old daughter Louise “Lulu” Rose walked an impressive 10 miles in 2:25:50. In the end, Millie Rose won in a shortened five-day match with 207 miles to Mattice’s 187 miles. Mattice only managed 19 miles on the last day. Millie Rose vs. Clara Hubbard in Toledo With that success, Rose wanted more. Just one week later, on February 26, 1876, another woman’s six-day race was held. At Toledo, Ohio, in Toledo Hall, Rose took on young Clara A. Hubbard (1859-1909), age 18, of Chicago, Illinois. The race started on a Saturday at 10 a.m., probably to attract spectators, instead of the typical early Monday start right after midnight. This race was scheduled for six and a half days. The event attracted great curiosity in Toledo. On day two, more than 1,000 spectators watched as Rose reached 88 miles and Hubbard 77 miles. On day three (after 2.5 days), both were doing well, and the score was Rose 132 and Hubbard 121. Running was obviously permitted or ignored because the women were able to clock amazingly fast miles. Hubbard’s fastest mile was run in 8:22. On day five, Rose’s seven-year-old daughter Lulu, raced against a nine-year-old boy for an hour. She reached five miles in 57 minutes. The little girl, with her mother’s fire, immediately challenged the boy to continue the race to 20 miles, but the boy wisely declined. Crowd-control was always a problem during these popular events. During the evening, a local bartender forced his way onto the track and refused to leave. “The affair caused a little excitement, but the fellow was ejected in a few minutes and the performance went on. The management took precautions against any such annoying episodes in the future.” Rose was ahead with 204 miles to Hubbard’s 186. On day six, Rose had a 24-mile lead, but Hubbard was narrowing the deficit fast,