John T. Barret in cake race, approaching the finish line on Grant Field

Abstract

GEORGIA TECH FRESHMAN CROSS COUNTRY RUN; Held Saturday Afternoon March 8, 1924 At Grant Field; Course - from Grant Field to the Lucky Street Waterworks and Return. Estimated distance 3-1/2 Miles. A picture of the winner, John T. Barret, sophomore of the class of 1926, from Fort Smith, Arkansas. Time 18 minutes, 44 seconds lowering previous record of 18 minutes, 55 seconds set in 1922 by Horace Moore, class of 1923. Second Hertwell P. Barton, class of 1925, third Ben B. Peacock, class of 1927. If Hertwell Barton hadn't pushed Barret, who was in the lead, all the way from the intersection of Fowler and 10th Street to the finish, Barret wouldn't have won this race. As it was Barret was 4/5ths dead by the time he reached the cattle chute where "Little Six" Carpenter waited to ease his collapsing body to the ground. Coming down the track from the fence gate to the chute Barret could see nothing but the heavy gold sweater with the big white "T", the football varsity letter worn by Six Carpenter. Undoubtedly greater and more thrilling races have been won on Grant Field, but the winner of none had exhausted all but the last erg, - you know, its in Physics, - of his energy, as Barret certainly felt he had done. Eighteen years later during W. W. II , a drill sergeant double-timed Barret's Cadre School platoon some two miles. This was punishment for a lousy drill. To Barret it was fun.