One of the highlights of the Liverpool & District Cross-Country Championships held on Saturday last at Prenton was the convincing victory of Bob Johnston in the senior race.
Running in a good class field which included the holder for the past three years in English international, J. F. Green, Johnston went into the lead after the first mile and was never headed. Johnston ran very steadily to build up a lead of 60 yards which he held until the last lap when this gap was closed by a determined run by Gates of Liverpool Pembroke, pursued by Green, However, Johnston maintained his effort and finished a comfortable winner by about 20 yards.
This is the fourth District title won by Johnston who was youth champion in 1947 and Junior Champion in 1950 and 1951, and now in his first year as a senior runner he has proved beyond doubt that he is one of the brightest prospects on Merseyside.
This is only the second time in 46 years that a Wallasey runner has won the senior title, John Edwards, present-day captain, being successful in 1946.
John McFarland was not his usual convincing self owing to a cold, but ran well to finish sixteenth whilst Alan Clarke continued to show improvement to finish 22nd.
In the junior race, John Lynch ran strongly, closely followed throughout by Eric Maddock the team just failing to gain a place.
RESULTS
Senior - 7 miles. Wallasey placed 4th with 139 points, 1st, R. Johnston (37mins. 47secs.); 16th, J. H. McFarland; 22nd, A. Clarke; .29th, D. W. Dickinson; 31st. E. C. Foster; 40th, A. Dickinson
Junior - 5 miles Wallasey placed 4th with 70 points. 10th, J. Lynch (30 mins. 44 secs.); 13th, E. Maddock; 21st, W. J. Johnston; 26th, K. Ledward.
Youths - 3 miles. Wallasey failed to finish a team.
Boys - 2 miles.Wallasey placed 5th with 81 points. 15th, E. Mills; 16th K. Tunstall; 18th, J. Anderson; 32nd, R. Jones.
This Saturday all members are asked to meet at Liverpool Landing Stage (by Bookstall) at 2 p.m. to journey to Court Hey, Broadgreen for an inter-club run with LiverpoolPembroke , Liverpool Boundary and Preston Harriers. All members are asked to compete so as to assist with team selection for the championships of West Lancs. and Northern areas.
Next Saturday, teams and spectators will journey to St. Helens for the West. Lancs. Championship when a special coach will leave Seacombe Ferry at 12:45 p.m. Fare 3/-.
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 09/02/1952 by R.H.
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