Craig caught Patching at 60 metres. At the 75-metre mark, Craig was "a hand's-breadth" ahead of Patching and Meyer, with Lippincott and Belote another half-metre back.
The passage describes a race where Craig is gaining on Patching.  At 60 meters, he catches up to Patching. By 75 meters, he has a small lead over Patching and Meyer, while Lippincott and Belote are further back.