Athletics at the 1908 Summer Olympics - Men's medley relay

The men's medley relay was run for the first time at the 1908 Summer Olympics in London. The event consisted of 1600 metres being run by four athletes per team. Unlike the later 4x400 metre relay, however, the athletes had different distances to run. In the medley, the first two runners each ran 200 metres. The third runner ran 400 and the fourth ran 800. The competition was held on July 24, 1908 and July 25, 1908. 28 runners from 7 nations competed.

The event was run in two rounds.

Medallists

First round, heat 3Hamilton gave the American team a slight lead at the end of the first 200 metres, with the Canadians in second and the British team third. Cartmell increased his team's lead while Pankhurst caught up to Buddo near the end of the second 200. In the 400, Taylor held the American lead while Montague put some distance between himself and Sebert to solidify second place for the Britons. Just had little chance of catching Sheppard in the second half of the race. The American, who had won the individual 800 metres, finished 25 yards in front.

Final

The final was held on July 25, 1908.

At the end of the first 200 metres, Hamilton had a six yard lead over Simon with Hoffmann about a yard behind the Hungarian. Cartmell increased the Americans' lead even more, as did Taylor. Sheppard began the second half of the race with a fifteen yard lead over Bodor, twenty ahead of Braun. He had drawn away even further to twenty-five yards by the time he finished. Braun and Bodor fought mightily for second place, with the German being faster and turning a five yard deficit at the beginning of the 800 metres into a five inch victory.

References

* Official Report of the Games of the IV Olympiad (1908).
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