One run in Los Angeles during the 1932 Olympics which for most  of the 26 miles covered territory which at that time was open   open country and consisted of farms, cow pastures, and oil  wells.

The runners didn't have to worry much about macadam roads, traffic signals in a large metropolis, golf courses, changing street  names -- and major league baseball.

To test what would happen if a marathon runner were to trace  the same route covered by the Olympians 28 years ago, a   Herald Express crew, and the "World's Fastest Human,"  Frank Wykoff, decided to "run" the course.

Traditionally, the marathon is a long-distance race  commemorating the feat of a young fellow named Philipides who raced from the battle of Marathon carrying the news of victory to the citizens of Athens in 490 B.C.  It was a sort of  message to Garcialopolis bit.

His Official time is forgotten, but as the story goes, he dropped dead at the completion of his little jog.  It was not the purpose of  this expedition to duplicate his finish quite so faithfully.

When the Xth modern Olympiad was held in Los Angeles  in 1932, the blistered feet and weary legs of a young Argentinean,   Juan Carlos Zabala, carried him to victory over a field of 28.   Zabala's time was 2 hours, 31 minutes, and 16 seconds.

ROUTE TAKEN IN L.A. MARATHON

After leaving the Coliseum that Sunday Afternoon on August 7, (1960), the 29 iron-lunged men had to travel south on Vermont to Florence Avenue, west to Western Avenue, south to Manchester Ave, back to Vermont, south to Ballona Ave (now El Segundo Blvd.) then west to Inglewood Redondo road, and up West Blvd. to Slauson Avenue, east on Slauson to Hoover, and back to the Memorial stadium.

Frank Wykoff, who in 1930 won Charlie Paddock's title of the "World's Fastest Human" with a 100 yard dash in 9.4 seconds and held the record for 17 years, was chosen to give a sprinter's eye view of the Marathon.

Decked out in the emblem shirt he wore in the Olympics of 1928, 1932, and 1936, a pair of borrowed shorts from his alma mater, USC, and his son David's track shoes, we met on the infield of the Coliseum.

Now the director of Special Schools for the Los Angeles County Schools Department, Wykoff is still witty and within two to three pounds of his running weight.

When apprised of his role in the plot, Wykoff asked:

"How will you account for a sprinter running in the Marathon?"

NO DISTANCE RUNNERS HERE

It was easily explained.  There wasn't a distance runner to be  found in Los Angeles.

All the endurance men from the University of Southern California, and the University of California at Los Angeles were either away for the summer or competing in Rome for olive chapeaus.

"So start running Mr. Wykoff."

The backstop behind the home plate of the 1959 World Champion  Dodgers presented the first problem.  It effectively blocked the tunnel where the 1932 runners exited to Vermont Avenue.

The only alternative was up the stairs to the peri-style exit.  It   was a puffer but we made it.  Mr. Wykoff made the 79 steps.    Only  25 miles, 230 yards to go.  We -- or  rather he was on his  way.

Then came a traffic signal.  An irate citizen vociferously explained to a sprawled across the auto-hood,  Wykoff  the intricacies of present day traffic congestion.

CAN'T MARATHON

AGAINST SIGNAL

Without police road blocks, a

marathon runner just doesn't marathon across an intersection against the signal.

"Why not go mechanized and drive the route?"  suggested the winded Wykoff.  "We'll see how long it takes to drive. Besides, this asphalt is dulling my spiked shoes."

The suggestion was met with approval and everything proceeded  smoothly until we reached Manchester Ave a few minutes later in considerably faster time than a runner would have.

"No Left Turn" was the sign confronting us.  An around-the- block detour got us back on route, but surely no 1932 runner had such a problem.

GOLF COURSE NEW OBSTACLE

Back on Vermont Avenue again, Wykoff wanted to stretch his legs a bi, but became hopelessly confused in his directions when he couldn't find Ballona Avenue.

Armed with a service station station map, he realized finally  Ballona had become El Segundo Blvd.

"Baloney!" he cried and tumbled back into the car.

"Fore!"  was the cry that soon followed this exclamation.

The Western Ave. Golf Course was the next "something that wasn't there" on El Segundo (Ballona) in 1932.

FINISH THE RACE

BY CARA-THON

The Philipides imitators of 28 years ago had to dodge planes landing and taking off from Rodgers Airport since replaced by the putting green.

Rather than get socked on the noggin with a putter by a  disgruntle golfers he left the links and mechanized again.

Not wanting to take any more chances with our sprinter turned  distance man, we finished the cara-thon in a vehicle.

Another "No Left Turn" was skirted on Hoover and as the  Olympic Bowl hove into view, Wykoff said wryly:

"I'm glad I was a sprinter.  I didn't realize how good it was to get  the race over in a hurry."

Our time: One hour, seven minutes, and 47 seconds.

Wykoff's comment:  "It was a rough race, especially that mix-up on the ninth hole, but we beat the time of the marathon by more  than one hour."

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  newspaper memory books of the above Marathon event.)