- From "Freeman's Journal" (Dublin) 1st June 1868:
- "GRAND WALKING MATCH - Yesterday, a grand walking match came off in the park of Trinity College for prizes consisting of a silver cup, an electro-plated cup and a "pewter." The distance to be gone over was seven miles, and the start took place at five minutes to three o'clock in extremely wet weather. Mr. A. Stoker came in winner in an hour and eight minutes. Mr. F. Smith came in second, and Mr. Hart third. There were twelve gentlemen entered for the race, and eight started ...
Mr. Stoker's forename was Abraham, which he later shortened to "Bram". He worked for ten years in the Irish Civil Service, and became involved in the theatre, becoming manager to the actor Sir Henry Irving. His first book, published in 1879, was "The Duties of Clerks of Petty Sessions in Ireland"; his 17th book was "Dracula".