1881 AAA Championships

[2] The weather in Birmingham was hot and sunny, "a thin tissue of clouds and a cool breeze somewhat tempered the sun's rays," and a crowd of 14,000 spectators attended the championship.

The Aston Company Band played musical selections throughout the afternoon and the prizes were presented by Mrs. Richard Chamberlain, the Lady Mayoress of Birmingham.

It was measured on the Friday afternoon by a surveyor, Mr. Wilson, using a foot chain laid 12 to 15 inches from the inside edge to confirm the accuracy of the race distances.

The stadium layout included a separate straight sprint track which also sloped to some extent, and this favoured competitors in both the 100 yards and the long jump.

Lon Myers, the American world record holder, said in a letter home, "the descent was about three-quarters of a yard on the sprint path.

Myers appeared first, in the first heat of the 100 yards, but the slope on the track threw him off and he did not live up to expectations and finished fourth.

The Birmingham Mail said, "before half the distance was covered it was seen that Myers was labouring hard to keep his place.

"[6] In a letter home Myers described his race thus: "I was thrown out of stride, owing, no doubt, to the downhill course, and the rest of the way I was trying to run and keep from falling at the same time.

William Snook (Moseley H.) took the lead for the first 200 yards, then George went to the front to try push the pace and take the sting out of the Australian.

Thomas Ray of Ulverston Cricket Club broke his own world record in the pole jump.

Edmund Baddeley had thrown 98ft 10in (30.12m) at the Amateur Athletic Club championship in 1878 and this remained the world record until June 1883.