Last Saturday, Wallasey A.C. held its 60th annual cross-country championships. There were to have been five races but there were insufficient competitors to warrant this, in fact there were only two races.
The seniors, juniors and youths all ran the Bidston Hill 5½ mile course while the boys, colts and ladies ran two miles via Bidston Golf Course and marshes.
In the boys' event Mel Schless won comfortably in 10 mins. 49 secs., Colin Reiners and Keith Butler being absent. Pete Lewis, with a time of 11:38 took the silver medal but Ian Wilson (11:39) left 'empty handed' as there were only three competitors.
The colts' race was won by Bob Brimage in 11:51. He was closely followed by G. Fair in 11:54 and Phil Keating, 11:56. Marc Gee was fourth in 12:11 and Stephen Daniels was fifth in 14:26.
Pat Robertson the girls' Cheshire champion took the gold medal in the ladies' race with a time of 13:24, beating Barbara Banks, the club's women's captain, by 1 min. 3 secs.
The senior race was won by an extremely fit Brian Woolford, the club secretary. He completed the 5 ½ miles in 32:15 and then went out on a training run. Mike Teahan was second in 36;52 and Doug Hanna was third in 39:16.
Alan Keating in the junior event showed everybody just what common or garden running training can do. Over the past few months he has been getting in the distance where others have not. This has proved well worthwhile for he beat Barrie Smith, the former favourite, by 47 secs. taking the gold medal with a time of 33:25, Mike McNamee was third in 35 mins. 30 secs. and Mike Whiteside was fourth with a time of 37:17.
There were only two competitors in the youths' race, Dave Lockley, wisely, decided not to run because of his injury, Phil Wealthy, John Horobin and Nick Bowen were all in Switzerland,
ski-ing , this left Johnny Jones to finish first with a time of 34:47 and Steve Walker second in 37.11.
Wallasey A.C. has entered teams in the Cheshire County Cross-Country Championships for seniors, juniors and youths which are to be held at Arrowe Park this afternoon.
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 07/01/1967
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