MANY WINNERS PREPARED. J.K. "Dad" Eglinton - SA Trainer of the 1920's/1930's

TRAINER SUCCESS - MANY WINNERS PREPARED

The Adelaide News
Thursday 12 January 1928

"The- Norwood Camp" -"
Half-trained runners do not win important races in these modern times,", is the belief of J. K. Eglinton who with a preparation of three months successfully fitted L, R. Parker for the 1927-Bay Sheffield. It was not the first time that Eglinton had prepared the-winner of .the Bay Sheffield. He has had a successful career as trainer, and-E. Wadham, who like Parker, plays football for Norwood- won the Bay Sheffield in 1923. There was a Norwood flavor about both victories, as Eglinton is a trainer of the football club.

F. H. White, the only other runner now under the care of Eglinton, had a brother playing for Norwood several seasons ago. It is little wonder that members of the club delight in hearing of the success of the Norwood"camp."

Eglinton, who was a fine runner in his youth, is popularly known as '"Dad" throughout football and pedestrian circles. Evidently his soubriquet was brought about by th.fact that his sons have been associated with him in his hobby.

Fine Runner in Youth
Although born in Victoria 50 years ago Eglinton has spent the last 20 years of his life in South Australia, and during the whole of that time he has devoted his spare moments to preparing speedy men for races. White, who is the champion runner of the State, has been under the care of the Norwood man for three years, and they were associated when White won at Maryborough in 1912.

Eglinton in his youth won the Federation Sheffield at Broken Hill, and ran 119 yards in- 12 1-10 sec. Old-timers would remember Joe Burns' hundred in Western Australia, in which Eglinton ran second on one occasion, giving away 11 yards to the winner.

With the exception of Saturdays, Eglinton has his men out every day in the week, and unless those in his charge conform to his ideas of routine they are not wanted. Early hours, wholesome food, and a clean life generally are essential for a runner to make good, is the belief of the Norwood trainer, who is painstaking in his efforts. He also avers that the man in training depends upon himself for training just as much as he does upon his mentor.

No objection' is taken to smoking or drinking, provided both are indulged in moderately. Two ounces of tobacco a week is not out of the way, he thinks. However, spirits are tabooed. Eglinton believes in plenty of running if the runner can get rest commensurate with his work.  

World Championships
White will compete in the world championships in Melbourne next month over 70, 100, 130, and 220 yards, and although his trainer does not expect him to win, he is of the opinion that he will not be disgraced. White will also run against Signal Box, the champion whippet of the State, at Hamley Bridge on January 28, where he will receive a handicap of 40 yards in 100. White won the Jeparit Gift last year off 7 yards, and was fourth this year off 7½ yards. S Parker did not train seriously until he came to the city, although he had met with success at country fixtures. His first effort was at Greenock, where he won over 75, 130, and 220 yards. Shortly afterward he won the Murray Bridge Sheffield, tied for first place over 75 yards, and was second in the 220 yards event.

Others who have met with important successes 'while under the care of Eglinton are A. Dawson (fourth in Bay Sheffield), Heinicke (winner of Underdale Sheffield); A. J. Rumsby (three years; in succession won mile championship of the State), D Eglinton (Semaphore Sheffield). It is a coincidence that before coming in contact with Eglinton sen. Parker robbed D. Eglinton of winning the 220 at Angaston for the third successive year. Parker inadvertently fouled Eglinton during the race and spoiled his chance of success.

Due to the reference to Dad Eglinton I moved this article to the Dad Eglinton thread.

SECRET OF RUNNING

The Mail
18th April 1931

'Perfect Balance' Says Malcolm Dunn

'The secret of running is to preserve balance.' That is the opinion of Malcolm Dunn, champion runner, who by covering nearly 130 yards in 12 sec at Wangaratta early this year established himself among front-rankers of pedestrianism. He started off the two-yard mark, and his time represents 12 1-5 sec. for the full distance, which is only 1-5 see. slower than the world record. Dunn recently returned from Stawell, where F. J. Ralph (winner) defeated him in a semi-final of the Gift.

Since he began athletics three years ago Dunn has improved his pace by 16 yards. In events this year he has been placed on 23 occasions — eight firsts, eight seconds, five thirds, and two fourths. His mark in every local race was scratch. Dunn was discovered when playing football in a junior match on the parklands by J. EL ('Dad') Eglinton, who is one of the best judges of a runner in the State. Many excellent athletes have passed through Eglinton's hands.

PERFECT STYLE
Experts consider' Dunn's action the most perfect seen for years. His style off the mark is in accord with orthodox methods. He is the best runner ''out of the hole'' since Arthur Postle, they say, and is practically at top speed in his first step.

To a representative of 'The Mail' this week Dunn emphasised that the secret of running was to preserve balance. The correct movement should be developed at the beginning, arms and legs working in correct positions in unison, he said. Arms should swing from front to rear, not across the chest, as was a common fault with many athletes. Dunn explained that when at his top he leaned forward slightly. He had found that after covering 90 yards or so he was inclined to straighten up a little, thus losing correct balance and retarding progress. It might be due to faulty breathing, he said. He intended to study the defect and remedy it if possible. In his effort in the Wangaratta Gift— his best - he ran 'straight through,' keeping the correct balance all the time.

TRAINING METHODS
Eglinton said that when in strict training Dunn rose at 7 o'clock in the morning and walked a couple of miles before breakfast. Two hours rest was followed by light running for half an hour. Dunn rested again in the afternoon and under took arduous training in the evening. It included actual sprinting under race conditions over various distances. He took a warm and cold shower, which was followed by a light, brisk rub, he concluded.

Dunn was born at East Adelaide 22 years ago. He was educated at a private school and Mount Barker High School. He afterward attended Roseworthy Agricultural College. He is a woolclasser. His principal measurements are: — Calf, 14in.; ankle, 10in.; thigh22 in.; waist29 in.; chest, normal 40, expanded 44in.; height, 5 ft. llin.; and neck, 14 in.