Peter Crossland

[RichardB]

Introducing Peter Crossland, Sheffield's other Victorian "sporting superstar".

Peter was also featured at the George Littlewood exhibition at the Sheffield City Library. He was a superb athlete who beat the then current world champion long-distance walker, Daniel O'Leary, of Chicago, in Manchester.

PETER CROSSLAND (1841 -1899?)

SHEFFIELD’S OTHER VICTORIAN SPORTING SUPERSTAR!

Peter Crossland worked in Sheffield’s cutlery industry. When he wasn’t working, he

was in training or competing as one of the finest "heel-and" toe walkers that Britain ever

produced. This forgotten local sporting hero was also known as the “Sharp Sheffield

Blade”.

Peter beat the, then world-champion, Daniel O'Leary, of Chicago, USA, at Manchester's

Pomona Gardens in late February 1876 in a 300-mile, £100 a side sweepstakes in front

of thousands of spectators.

From King of the Peds…One of those athletes was the useful Peter Crossland from Sheffield,

Yorkshire, who, between Monday, the 11 and Tuesday, the 12th of September at the Royal

Pomona Gardens, Colnbrook, Manchester, made a world record of 120 miles 1,560 yards in 24

hours against George Parry of that city. At the time, this was the furthest distance observed in

such a contest.

What is more astonishing is that Crossland competed the distance without

taking a rest. Peter won £100 for his efforts, with Parry having scored a respectable 114 miles

and 164 yards in the same time.

Later in his professional career, he would travel over to the USA. Here is an article in the

New York Times dated May the 15th 1879, which celebrated his arrival…

“He is of medium height, but of magnificent physique. His

shoulders are broad, and his form is perfect. Crossland comes

from Sheffield, Yorkshire County, England. He brings no

trainer with him.

He is 40 years old, and began to walk in

matches three years ago. Previous to that time he had worked at

his trade, a cutler. At the match in the Pomona Palace, in

Manchester a walk of 72 hours, he beat O’Leary 19 miles. He

walked at that time 120 3/4 miles and 200 yards without a rest.

This was September 11 and 12 1876. He has made the best record

in England for 242 and 284 miles having made the former in

57:02:37, and the latter in 68:40:19. He has made the best 33, 34,

and 35-hour times in England making in 33 hours, 151 miles and

4 laps; in 34 hours, 156 miles and 1 lap, and in 35 hours, 160

miles and 6 laps.

Crossland has received the Champion Cup of

the Midland Counties in Nottingham, England, for making 322

miles in a six day’s walk of 14 hours a day. He says he comes to

this country to walk, not to run.”

It was in Chicago where he took on some top US athletes in one match, and then O'Leary,

in a $5,000 sweepstakes ($10,000 to the winner! �" worth an incredible £140,000 in

today's money!).

Peter’s career is fully covered in King of the Peds.

[With Thanks to Paul Marshall - not Peter as I first said, my apologies for being a Stoopid-person]

PETER_CROSSLAND___The_Sharp_Sheffield_Blade.pdf

[RichardB]

Peter Crossland gets a passing mention here.

[May just finish your eyesight off]

http://www.ultralegends.com/george-hazael/

[RichardB]

http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/p...-10--1----0-all

[RichardB]

Peter Crossland of England and John Dobler

of Chicago walked two miles for $50 This race

exited enthusiastic interest. It was what is

called a straight heel and toe race.

Crossland beat Dobler and Dobler beat Crossland

half a dozen times and in the main both kept

close together.

At the finish Crosslnnd ran a few steps and came

in ahead of Dobler who maintained his careful walking.

The multitude imagined that Crossland's

running had not been noticed. The bullding

trembled with the tumult that followed.

Four thousand voices shouted "Who won ?" "

"Who got the shoog ?"

"Didn't Crossland run ?" and the word "Foul !"

ran in a steady undercurrent beneath the louder calls.

Whitaker announced that Dobler won in 18 minutes

and 36 1/2 secondsvv and that Crossland was disqualified.

October 1st 1879

[RichardB]

More from Paul, yes, that's right Paul, not Peter at all, Paul ...