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mike.e.steck · Joined: 18 Sep 2009 Posts: 1

Hi all,
I live near Philadelphia in a town interestingly enough called Salford. I found a silver medal from 1890 in the 220 yard run at Madison square garden. Manhatten athletic club, Salford Harriers.

Does anybody have any information on who might have won the medal?

Thanks,

Mike

royprofitt · Joined: 21 Sep 2009 Posts: 2

Hello Mike,

I act as the Salford Harriers club historian.

I think that I can answer your query. Just give me a couple of days.

Regards,

Roy Profitt.

royprofitt · Joined: 21 Sep 2009 Posts: 2

Mike,

In the Autumn of 1890, a Salford Harriers team of 5 runners, 3 distance runners and 2 sprinters, visited the USA and ran in meetings at Montreal, Detroit, Chicago, Buffalo, Boston, Philadelphia and New York. The tour was arranged in association with the Manhattan Athletic Club. It is believed that this was the first British athletics club team to visit the USA.
Results were mixed. Our 2 leading distance runners, Parry and Morton, performed well. The 3rd distance runner, Morris, was not of the same calibre as the other two and achieved only modest results. The sprinters, Morgan and Nicholas, were both 1890 national champions but ran poorly.
The last meeting was a real spectacular held at Madison Square Garden on November 2nd which was probably where your medal was awarded.
The prizes for each event were a gold watch for the winner, a silver watch for 2nd and a medal for 3rd.
Most of the races were handicap events. There were 6 heats in the 220 Yards Handicap Run, with the winner of each proceeding to the final. I do not know if Salford Harriers was represented in the event but certainly no club runner reached the final.
The first 3 in the final were: 1. A.Werner (Pastime Athletic Club);
2. J.T.Morton (Manhattan Athletic Club); 3. C.Mellen (Berkeley Athletic Club).
Thus, I feel that C.Mellen was the original recipient of the medal which you now possess.
I hope that this information is satisfactory for you. Please contact me if you think that I can help you further. It might be best if you email me direct at roy.profitt@hotmail.co.uk.

Kind regards,
Roy Profitt.