Belle Isle Park, Detroit, MI, August 18, 1923
The fastest two-lap race of the season took place in the Central Association meet of the United States Regional Championships. Kansas native Ray Watson clocked 880 yards in US record 1:54.3 (equivalent to 1:53.7 over the metric distance).
The 120-yard hurdles were also run at a blistering pace. 1.80m (5-11) tall Karl Anderson of Illinois Athletic Club matched the world’s best time of 14.8 seconds. After hitting his stride, Anderson went on to win the U.S. Championship a few weeks later.
In the 440-yard hurdles, Anderson’s clubmate Ivan Riley emerged victorious. Riley continued his winning streak by taking the U.S. Championship title and another win at the invitational meet held a week later at Yankee Stadium in New York.
Future double Olympic champion Harold Osborn of Illinois Athletic Club cleared the bar set at a season-best 1.95m (6-¾).
Another future Olympic long jump champion DeHart Hubbard leaped 7.44m (24-5) from the oak takeoff board. Representing the University of Michigan, Hubbard dominated the event in 1923, achieving the four longest jumps of the season, with 7.44 m being his fourth best.
Hubbard, a pioneer as the first African-American Olympic gold medalist in athletics, was busy in Detroit. In addition to winning the long jump, he also took victory in the triple jump and secured second place in the 120-yard hurdles.
The Illinois Athletic Club clinched the team championship.
1–4 (Spalding’s Athletic Almanac)