h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

> we don't know anything more about them - which I guess is the next step.<

Sounds like a good idea.

In reverse order:

>How many took part?<
I can;t say exactly, there's no exact record of that.

>included someone famous?<
Nope.

>Was it only one type of prisoner? <
Well my focus is on one of the prisoners, yes, but only in the sense that he is representative of a growing population, both within the walls....


>>events outside the prison" are relevant. I assume you meant the wider world<<

...and across the world, especially in Europe, but with a special and notable exception in the mid-west states and, notably, a state penitentiary like San Quentin (which is notable for it's particularly role not just as a general signifier)


>I realise I know nothing at all about 1923.<

I know how you feel. They say the future is an undiscovered country, sometimes the past can be too. I found out about this and I was like "what, really?" and then I did some digging and yes found out it was all true...

Was it meteorological? Like, they ran in the snow, and the scene inspired many slapstick movies in the following few years?

Was anybody famous involved, like Al Capone?

>Was there something about this particular race that had been going on for some years<

Sort of yes. Not the race as such but the people taking part.

>which was put a stop to because of what happened in 1923?<
Nope it carried on for some years afterwards, though in decline in steady decline for a number of reasons. The 1920s were when it was at it's peak.

Ah, I may not know anything about 1923, but I do know that Mussolini came to power in 1922. Are we talking fascism here? The Klan?

>Running in cold weather?<
No.

>Al Capone?<
Nobody famous or infamous like that.

>Mussolini came to power in 1922.<
Did he? Hmph. Not really relevant, but plenty did happen in the 20s that included.

>>Not the race as such but the people taking part.<<

Suggests that not just anyone was allowed to enter. A certain sort of person.

I think it was more inclusive rather than exclusive.

A reminder of the question:

What was quite unusual (and therefore Quite Interesting) about the 50 yard dash at the 1923 annual Thanksgiving Track and Field Tournament at San Quentin Maximum Security Prison?

It was to become, 89 years later, the subject of a worldwide Quiz set by our finest resident Thingite Warlord Emeritus?

You're too kind.

If you are all that desperate for a clue: name things that go on inside prisons.

(Now *there's *a hostage to fortune if ever there was one!)

I could name things but I'm not sure they'd pass the profanity filter

I'm kind of amazed actually, no-one has yet asked me who won the race.

doot de doo...

I thought we were supposed to work that out.

OK.

"Who won the race, Clive"

If he says "The fastest runner" there'll be trouble.

Yes, we you weren't getting anywhere fast with that.

The answer is I don't know. But I can tell you who came second.

I thought we were supposed to work that out.

Actually your brief is what is "unusual" about the race.

"Who came second, Clive"

What is unusual about the race? Was the outcome allowed to affect the prisoner's sentences?

His name was John Pearson and there was something distinctly odd about him.

>>distinctly odd<<

He only had one leg.