Five Wallasey A.C. runners last Saturday took part in the annual Liverpool Marathon, when four were successful in finishing the full course of 26 miles 385 yards.
This is the highest number of Wallasey runners ever to complete the marathon distance and would seem to point the way to the formation of a recognised marathon section. First Wallasey man home was Phil Morant in 32nd place with a time of 3hrs. 16mins. 23secs. and he was followed by Frank Ledward, who was 38th in 3hrs. 31mins. 58secs. Next in was Hugh Goddard 47th in 3hrs. 31mins. 44secs., and the Wallasey contingent was completed by Ray Scammell, 54th in 3hrs. 44mins. 47 secs.
Morant's was a surprisingly good performance which was achieved by steady running over the whole distance and as this runner only a year or two ago was running track miles around the 4 minute 30 seconds mark, he would appear to have a pace and stamina to give him real possibilities over this distance.
Ledward also ran a well-judged race without quite showing the pace which gave him a time of 3hrs. 7mins. in this race two years ago and he must be given much of the credit for the increasing interest being shown in marathon running by W.A.C. athletes. Hugh Goddard and Ray Scammell both showed great pluck and tenacity in finishing after being very exhausted around the 20- mile point, and Goddard in particular came through-very well over the last six miles.
John Winrow also started but after running gamely for about 1¾ hours had to retire at the 15 mile check point.
At the club's Leasowe Road headquarters today, all the remaining track championships will be completed and members are asked to turn up in force to make this a successful wind up to the summer season.
Events will be as follows:
Senior: 100 yards, 440 hurdles, 1 mile, 6 miles, javelin.
Junior: 120 yards hurdles, high jump, long jump, 220 yards, discus.
Youths: discus, long jump.
Boys: shot, discus, high jump.
Women: 100 yards, 1 mile.
The club pentathlon will also be run off and any events in the championships which coincide with the pentathlon schedule will be judged as part of the pentathlon, so that competitors will not need to run an event twice.
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 22/08/1953 by R.M.
Ref 1064