105: Six Day Race Part 11: O’Leary vs. Weston II (1877)

Ultrarunning History

By Davy Crockett You can read, listen, or watch In America, 1876 had been a “loopy” six-day race year, with at least eighteen races held. Interest was high, but there were also skeptics. Closing out the last episode, Daniel O’Leary, of Chicago, the champion pedestrian of the world, reached 500 miles for the third time in six days, but his reputation had been tarnished due to some false accusations that in some people’s minds also put a black eye on the ultra-distance sport. With criticism swirling around him, it was time for O’Leary to show England that he was the true champion ultrarunning/pedestrian of the world, not Edward Payson Weston, who had been winning over the British respect and their money for months. By going to England, O’Leary would face off in a rematch with Weston for their historic second six-day race. It would receive nearly as much attention as the Ali vs. Frazer II boxing match that took place 97 years later in Madison Square Garden. O'Leary would become a key figure in the history of the sport that attracted international excitement for the six-day race, and also would bring back a massive fortune. Please consider supporting ultrarunning history by signing up to contribute a little each month through Patreon. Visit https://www.patreon.com/ultrarunninghistory O’Leary Heads to England In late September 1876, while O’Leary was on a ship crossing the Atlantic, Weston finally succeeded reaching 500 miles in six days for the second time. This was accomplished at the Ice-Skating Rink at Toxteth Park, in Liverpool and he went a little further, to 500.5 miles. Weston Ad O’Leary arrived in London a few days later, in early October, and immediately tried to help the British understand that he was the true pedestrian champion, not Weston. O’Leary wrote, “I am desirous of forever settling the question, ‘Who shall be the champion pedestrian of the world? Should Weston be desirous of entering into a side-by-side contest of 500 miles with me, I hereby agree to give him a start of 25 miles in that distance.” Weston ignored O’Leary’s challenge and didn’t want to share the spotlight that was shining on him by the British public. He was even getting money from a product endorsement, doing ads for a cream to help with rheumatism, sprains, chest-colds, and lumbago. O’Leary Beats Weston’s Six-day Mark in Liverpool Frustrated that a race could not be scheduled, O’Leary wanted to prove to the British that he was better than Weston. He also went to Liverpool, determined to beat Weston’s recent mark set there of 500.5 miles in six days. On October 16-21, he also walked in the Admiral Street Skating Rink at Toxteth Park on a track measured 11 laps to a mile. Sam Hauge (1828-1901) of Liverpool, organized the event with a bet against O'Leary of £100, that O'Leary could not beat Weston's recent solo six-day mark of 500.5 miles under the exact same conditions on the same track. The English, skeptical of this newcomer, commented, “He is much prettier and a more rapid walker than Weston, but his dress is not near so neat as that worn by Weston.” To the British, how you looked was just as important as how you performed. Interest in Liverpool was intense. Trams were filled, taking spectators to the rink where they would pay one shilling to watch day and night, and be entertained by a band. O’Leary walked strongly on the first day, reaching 106 miles. On day two, show fatigue, he reached 169 miles and was 11 miles behind Weston’s pace. He usually walked with a pacer who helped keep him awake by chatting and he improved, reaching 263 miles after three days despite being ill. Unable to take in solid food, he fueled mostly on soup and "slops." He didn't like walking to the music of a brass band, so a string orchestra replaced it. On the final days he lived on oysters stewed in milk. After five days, he reached 427 miles, and it was believed to be “doubtless” that he would succeed.