Wallasey Athletic Club last Saturday staged the Wallasey schools' championships from their Leasowe Road headquarters, when the main event was the schoolboys' race over a 2½ mile course of marsh and grassland.
This race for boys under 16, open to all schools and youth organisations, attracted an entry of over 100 runners, who were sent on their way by starter Mr. H. R. B. Wood, Director of Education.
Conditions were good, and W. Hogarth, of Wallasey Grammar School, soon moved into the lead, which he held throughout to win comfortably in 13 mins. 53 secs. He was followed home by team mate I. McIvor and Kennedy, of Gorsedale Secondary Modern, who completed the course in 14.13 and 14.15 respectively.
The team award was won, by Wallasey Grammar School, who were competing for the first time in this race, their scoring runners being placed first, second, fourth and fifth. Another W.G.S. runner, White, ran in sixth, which meant that the first five W.G.S. runners finished inside 34 seconds.
The full list of other team placings was as follows :-
Moreton Secondary Modern 'A'.- 9, 10, 13, 15 - 47 points.
Oldershaw Grammar School - 7, 8, 19, 31 - 65 points.
New Brighton Secondary Modern - 11, 17, 20, 25 - 73 points.
Gorsedale Secondary Modern. - 3, 21, 27, 28 - 79 points.
Liscard Secondary Modern 'A'. - 12, 16, 38, 42 - 108 points.
Gorsedale Secondary Modern 'B'. - 23, 26, 29, 39 - 117 points.
Moreton Secondary Modern 'B'. - 18, 37, 41, 59 - 155 points.
St. George's Secondary Modern 'A'. - 14, 46, 64, 69 - 193 points.
St. George's Secondary Modern 'B'. - 45, 46, 54, 58 - 203 points.
Sea Cadets. - 43, 50, 61, 62 - 216 points.
Liscard Secondary Modern 'B'. - 44, 49, 57, 71 - 221 points.
The Youths' event for boys 16-18 was won by Roy Parry, of Oldershaw Grammar School, who finished the 3½-mile course in 22 mins. 8 secs. Second and third positions were occupied by J. H. Warden and J. Greenhalgh, both of Wallasey Grammar School.
Parry ran a very well judged race taking the lead about a mile out and striding out confidently to win easing up.
It is of interest to note that both the individual winners are already members of Wallasey Athletic Club, which seems to emphasise the value of training and experience.
The prizes and awards were afterwards presented by the Mayor (Alderman - W. O. Hannaford).
As last year, some of the successful competitors will be offered twelve months free membership of Wallasey A.C., and it is hoped that full advantage will be taken of this opportunity.
Ends
Source - Unknown - Saturday, 08/11/1952
Ref 1065