Australian Ultramarathon History: 1871- 1880

Saturday, September 12, 2020

Albert Bird - 41 miles against the Clock - 1876

Albert Bird - 41 miles against the Clock - 1876 ( From Trevor Vincent)

THEATRE ROYAL AND 41 MILE RACE AGAINST THE CLOCK

Back on Stage

Albert Bird was back in the public domain again on Saturday the 15th of April 1876 appearing at the Theatre Royal. On the 18th of April 1876, the Launceston Examiner reported, ''a complimentary benefit was given by local amateurs to AE Bird. There was a very good house, but the gallery which was crowded had a good deal of the noisy element in it......... The entertainment ended the comedy of the Rough Diamond which Bird took the part of Cousin Joe... Bird was loudly cheered on his first appearance, and was called before the curtain at the close of the piece, when in a very good speech he delivered a well-deserved rebuke to certain parties in the gallery for their conduct.”

Albert announced that on Easter Monday, he would run from Campbell Town to Launceston, a distance of forty one miles in less than five hours.

41 Miles in Less Than 5 Hours

On a fine mild, cloudless Easter Monday, the 17th of April 1876 Albert started from Engelbert’s Hotel in Campbell Town at 12.30 pm. The road between Campbell Town and Conara, a distance of eight miles, runs north straight and undeviating. It is flanked by small rocky hills whose barren slopes are only relieved by the occasional cypress tree. Approaching Conara, he passed the Disappearing House. Due to the conformation of the landscape the old road house would “vanish” you descended one hill, and reappear as you ascended the next hill. Shortly afterwards he reached Cleveland, the first ten miles had been covered in just under an hour.

Albert continued north, stopping briefly at Cleveland for refreshments at the Bald Faced Stag Inn, a former convict road station. Running at a good pace he entered Epping Forest, black peppermint trees very close to the road. He passed many gateways, several with family members shouting encouragement and providing a diversion to this monotonous stage of the race.

Leaving the forest, Albert crossed the Hawkridge Bridge near Powranna, passed the road leading to Cressy, arriving at Snakes Banks at 2.35 pm. It was then on through Symonds Plains, shortly after which the road branched right to Evandale and left to Perth. Taking the left road, Albert crossed Perth Bridge and arrived at the township at 3.40 pm. He stopped at the Perth Hotel for fifteen minutes for a wash, rub-down and cup of tea. Many of the shop keepers and residents had gathered outside the Hotel and gave Albert an enthusiastic farewell as he commenced his run.

Albert headed north at 4.00 pm going up Gibbet Hill. The road then dipped down through Breadalbane where patrons of the Wool Pack Inn shouted support. At 4.43 pm he came to the Cocked Hat Hotel two miles. In earlier times this area had been notorious for bush rangers and stealing of sheep. At this point, six miles from the finish, Albert was joined by a local amateur, J.T Hall, for the last stage of his journey.

A crowd estimated at 4,000 persons wishing to witness the end of Albert’s run had congregated around the All-The-Year-Round Inn at the Sandhill Launceston, the finishing post. Numerous vehicles also assembled around the finishing area.

After leaving the district known as the “Cocked Hat,” Albert and J.T Hall crossed the Kerry Lodge Bridge, built in 1836, and then went up the small incline of Magpie Hill. It was then down through Franklin Village and past the Young Town Inn where patrons assembled and cheered both runners. At 5.24 pm people waiting at the finishing area could see a cloud of dust, and the sudden appearance of a crowd at the road higher up, giving an indication of Albert’s imminent arrival. Then down the hill came Albert and Hall running side by side. They crossed the finishing line at 5.26 pm, amid deafening cheers from the crowd who nearly suffocated Albert in their eagerness to pat him on the back. He had run from Campbell Town to Launceston, a distance of forty one miles in four hours eleven minutes. This was forty nine minutes under five hours.

At the finish Albert was little distressed and after a wash and a change of clothes he came out among his admirers and partook of various refreshments.

The Launceston Examiner, in its account of Albert’s run, finished by saying, “it is a marvellous performance.”

The Hobart Mercury of the 13th of May 1876 mentioned, “this speed, and for such a distance is unprecedented in this colony.”

Albert’s time remained the fastest time ever run in the colonies until bettered by Bill Emmerton in 1960.