astrapol2
06-16-2004, 11:16 AM
From "The Observer"
_(http://observer.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,6903,1237668,00.html)
Two legs too good for four
Will Buckley
Sunday June 13, 2004
The Observer
In a race between man and horse, back the horse. That has been the iron rule for the first 24 years of the annual 'man versus horse' marathon in Llanwrtyd Wells, mid Wales. But natural law was broken yesterday.
Huw Lobb, an IT management consultant and mere biped, out-ran four-legged Kay Bee Jay to make a giant leap for mankind and giant hole in the accounts of bookmaker William Hill, who had promised £25,000 to any human who could do it.
(…)
Some 47 horses and riders lined up against nearly 500 people and relay teams in the gruelling 22-mile race in what claims to be Britain's smallest town. No human running alone had ever been able to defeat a horse in the quarter century of the competition. The closest was four years ago when Mark Croasdale came within 90 seconds.
Lobb, however, smashed the equine hegemony by more than two minutes. Cynics may compare the feat to cheese-rolling or lawn mower-racing rather than the four-minute mile, but he will have the last laugh as the prize money has been increased by £1,000 each year after remaining unclaimed. (…)"
_(http://observer.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,6903,1237668,00.html)
Two legs too good for four
Will Buckley
Sunday June 13, 2004
The Observer
In a race between man and horse, back the horse. That has been the iron rule for the first 24 years of the annual 'man versus horse' marathon in Llanwrtyd Wells, mid Wales. But natural law was broken yesterday.
Huw Lobb, an IT management consultant and mere biped, out-ran four-legged Kay Bee Jay to make a giant leap for mankind and giant hole in the accounts of bookmaker William Hill, who had promised £25,000 to any human who could do it.
(…)
Some 47 horses and riders lined up against nearly 500 people and relay teams in the gruelling 22-mile race in what claims to be Britain's smallest town. No human running alone had ever been able to defeat a horse in the quarter century of the competition. The closest was four years ago when Mark Croasdale came within 90 seconds.
Lobb, however, smashed the equine hegemony by more than two minutes. Cynics may compare the feat to cheese-rolling or lawn mower-racing rather than the four-minute mile, but he will have the last laugh as the prize money has been increased by £1,000 each year after remaining unclaimed. (…)"