At the Witton Park track at Blackburn last week Wallasey miler Kevin Mather ran in the invitation mile while clubmate Ron Barlow, took time off from his marathon training to compete in the 3-mile event.
Both runners found themselves a little short of pace at the critical part of the race and had to be content with fourth places in fields which were well up to national standards.
In the mile Mather finished in a time of 4 mins. 10 secs. and in the 3-mile Barlow achieved a personal best performance of 13 mins. 52 secs.
In the Liverpool & District championships at Wavertree both Mather and John Young passed through their heats into the final of the half-mile with Mather having a fine tussle with Lancashire ½-mile champion Gilbert before winning in 1 mins. 57 secs.
In the mile event Wallasey were without Mather, owing to a muscle strain, which looks likely to retard his prospects seriously during the next month or so -- but colleagues John Young and Brian Chalton rose to the occasion in great style by winning their respective heats.
On a cold and windy evening Chalton used his strength in the full by taking the lead at the bell to draw steadily away to win easily in 4 mins. 41.2 secs., while Young also always held the initiative in his race to get away on the back straight and record a time of 4 mins. 41 secs.
In the junior 440 yards, John Morley was unfortunate to meet opposition in Gilbert and Butlin, and he can he well satisfied with his time to 53.5 seconds.
Another Wallasey A.C. ½-miler, Robin Tarrant improved him best time in the Wallasey School Championships last Saturday when he won his event in 54.7 seconds.
Both Morley and Tarrant are very fast for their age over the quarter mile and with continued application to training and building up their strength they may well reach top class during the next few years.
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 22/06/1963 by R.M.C.
Ref 1282