User:Inglisbob

http://www.nytimes.com/ http://archive.scotsman.com/

Headline text
HARRY HUTCHENS OF PUTNEY

The scotsman Newspaper of Scotland reported the death of Harry Hutchens as 2nd January 1939. By coincedence Mr Hutchens death occurred on the anniversary of his greatest performance - the 300 yards in 30 seconds.

The New York times confirms this performance as having taken place on the 2nd January 1882 in Edingurgh at the New year Pedestrian meeting  he ran the 300 yards in thirty seconds - this after a full meal of roast beef and potaoes and within an hour of winning a heat over the same distance. Hutchens was considered one of the greatest sprinters of his era by the New York Times.

The Scotsman's obituary for Hutchens records he was known as Greased Lightning and had sprint performances of  twelve and two fifths seconds for one hundred and thirty one and a quarter yards and 140 yards in 13.5 seconds

He died aged 81 at his London home in Catford.

Inglisbob (talk) 21:49, 4 January 2008 (UTC)inglisbob