RichardB Posted September 4, 2009 Share Posted September 4, 2009 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 Bladeâ€. 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardB Posted September 7, 2009 Author Share Posted September 7, 2009 Peter Crossland gets a passing mention here. [May just finish your eyesight off] http://www.ultralegends.com/george-hazael/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardB Posted September 7, 2009 Author Share Posted September 7, 2009 http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/p...-10--1----0-all Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardB Posted September 7, 2009 Author Share Posted September 7, 2009 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardB Posted September 9, 2009 Author Share Posted September 9, 2009 More from Paul, yes, that's right Paul, not Peter at all, Paul ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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