William J. Cummings (10 June 1858 – 13 July 1919) was a Scottish professional runner who held the record for the mile in the 19th century and is perhaps best remembered for a series of races against Walter George, a top amateur runner who turned professional in part to challenge Cummings.

He won a mile race in 4:18+1⁄4 later that year in Glasgow and again in 4:19+1⁄2 two weeks later, and was considered to be at the top of pedestrianism.

After George had run 4:19+2⁄5 on 3 June of that year, thus setting a new amateur record for the mile with only three professionals faster at the distance - including, of course, Cummings - he challenged him to race, but was denied permission by the amateur authorities.

Being badly in debt was also a factor in this decision to shed his amateur status.

The mile challenge race was held on 31 August 1885 at Lillie Bridge, witnessed by some 30,000 spectators.

At the gun, George dashed ahead, with Cummings close behind, in a steady rain.

At the quarter mile point of the race, hindered by the slow track with sharp corners, George led with 58+3⁄5, a torrid pace which the crowd enthusiastically cheered.

At the three-quarter mark, George was at 3:07+1⁄2, only half a second slower than the world record pace.

The starting gun was fired by former two-mile record-holder Jack White and George, as he did the year before, led off.

As they passed three-quarters in 3:07+3⁄4, Cummings pulled up alongside George and the crowd went wild.

The spectators, in contrast to the congratulatory mob which surrounded George the previous year upon his victory, waited silently for the time to be written on the blackboard.