William Lang (athlete)
Encyclopedia
William Lang was a professional British
runner, who set world records in numerous running events in the 1860s, including a mile record
which stood for 16 years.
In the 1850s and 1860s, with the advent of accurate timing devices and precisely measured running courses, the sport of running, called "pedestrianism," became extremely popular, especially in Britain.
On 19 August 1865, the greatest field of milers ever assembled to that time raced at the Royal Oak Grounds in Manchester
for the Mile Championship Cup, ₤30, and title of "Champion Miler of the World." Included in the field of nine professionals were Siah Albison
, who had set a mile record at the same location in 1860 at 4:22¼, Lang who had broken Albison's record in 1863, and Edward Mills, the current record holder in the event at 4:20, set on 25 June 1864 also at Manchester.
Lang was nicknamed the "Crowcatcher" and had set records in the two mile and six mile events in 1863. He had also run the mile in 4:21¾ that year and was eager to win this race.
A crowd of 15,000 watched the race, which also included Scot
Robert McInstray, world-record holder in the 880-yard race, 4:21½ miler James Sanderson, the Welsh
mile champion William Richards and half-miler rabbit
James Nuttall
. As bets were being placed, word came through that Mills was limping and would not be able to compete, meaning that Lang was now the clear favourite.
Nuttall led the field around the 651-yard track and hit the quarter-mile mark in 60 seconds, an unsustainable pace. The crowd cheered, and excitement built as Nuttall hit the half in 2:05½. Nuttall started to fade, and Lang took over the lead and at the 3/4 mile point with a time of 3:14, which the crowd realized was fast enough to make this the first-ever mile run under 4:20.
As Lang headed into the backstretch, he tried to pull away, but McInstray kept pace as did the previously unheralded Richards. Albion had faded badly and was no longer a factor. As the three came onto the homestretch, the crowd roared, and McInstray lost ground. Richards, on the other hand, gained on Lang. At the finish, Richards pulled even and he and Lang crossed the line together. Though Lang's supporters howled with rage, the judges ruled the race a tie.
Their time was 4:17¼, a time not surpassed until William Cummings ran 4:16 16 years later.
Because the public was not satisfied with a tie, a run-off was held a week later, and Lang beat Richards in 4:22.
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
runner, who set world records in numerous running events in the 1860s, including a mile record
World record progression for the mile run
The world record in the mile run is the best mark set by a male or female runner in the middle-distance track and field event. The IAAF is the official body which oversees the records. Hicham El Guerrouj is the current men's record holder with his time of 3:43.13 minutes, while Svetlana Masterkova...
which stood for 16 years.
In the 1850s and 1860s, with the advent of accurate timing devices and precisely measured running courses, the sport of running, called "pedestrianism," became extremely popular, especially in Britain.
On 19 August 1865, the greatest field of milers ever assembled to that time raced at the Royal Oak Grounds in Manchester
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
for the Mile Championship Cup, ₤30, and title of "Champion Miler of the World." Included in the field of nine professionals were Siah Albison
Siah Albison
Siah Albison was a professional British runner who set a world record in the mile in the 1860s.A weaver from Bow Lee near Manchester, Albison earned the mile championship belt of England in 1859...
, who had set a mile record at the same location in 1860 at 4:22¼, Lang who had broken Albison's record in 1863, and Edward Mills, the current record holder in the event at 4:20, set on 25 June 1864 also at Manchester.
Lang was nicknamed the "Crowcatcher" and had set records in the two mile and six mile events in 1863. He had also run the mile in 4:21¾ that year and was eager to win this race.
A crowd of 15,000 watched the race, which also included Scot
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
Robert McInstray, world-record holder in the 880-yard race, 4:21½ miler James Sanderson, the Welsh
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
mile champion William Richards and half-miler rabbit
Pacemaker (track)
A pacemaker or pace-setter is a runner who leads a middle- or long distance running event for the first section to ensure a fast time and avoid excessive tactical racing. Pacemakers are frequently employed by race organisers for world record attempts with specific instructions for lap times...
James Nuttall
James Nuttall
James Nuttall was a professional British runner, who broke several records, and is regarded as “one of the best sprinters and quarter milers in England in the 1860s”...
. As bets were being placed, word came through that Mills was limping and would not be able to compete, meaning that Lang was now the clear favourite.
Nuttall led the field around the 651-yard track and hit the quarter-mile mark in 60 seconds, an unsustainable pace. The crowd cheered, and excitement built as Nuttall hit the half in 2:05½. Nuttall started to fade, and Lang took over the lead and at the 3/4 mile point with a time of 3:14, which the crowd realized was fast enough to make this the first-ever mile run under 4:20.
As Lang headed into the backstretch, he tried to pull away, but McInstray kept pace as did the previously unheralded Richards. Albion had faded badly and was no longer a factor. As the three came onto the homestretch, the crowd roared, and McInstray lost ground. Richards, on the other hand, gained on Lang. At the finish, Richards pulled even and he and Lang crossed the line together. Though Lang's supporters howled with rage, the judges ruled the race a tie.
Their time was 4:17¼, a time not surpassed until William Cummings ran 4:16 16 years later.
Because the public was not satisfied with a tie, a run-off was held a week later, and Lang beat Richards in 4:22.