A last minute decision took Wallasey Athletic Club's ladies' captain to Rochdale on Saturday for the third and final Northern League race over a wintry 2½ mile course.
Owing to foot and mouth restrictions on cross-country events, the previously postponed Northern Novice championship, open to any senior who has not won an area or National championship, was incorporated info the race.
Barbara astounded the experts by pulling away to a great win by 21 seconds from international Alison Noble (nee Leggett) and pushed the favoured Phyllis Lewis (winner of the first two league races) into third place.
Barbara is virtually the only competing lady cross-country member of the club and does the bulk of her training on her own in the evenings no matter what the weather conditions are. She lacks the advantages of a team backing that her adversaries enjoy and has progressed during the last two years from a mediocre performer into a top flight athlete through pluck and determination.
Today Barbara travels to Bolton for the Women's National Championships where she wilI take on the more fancied runners from the South of England. Whatever the result we can be sure that she will give of her best - she is that kind of girl.
The male section of the club were at Sherdley Park, St. Helens for the Liverpool & District Championships and it was a day of 'seconds' for Wallasey.
The boys, with six to count improved on last week's performance and packed Colin Reiner (8th), Bob Warburton (18th) Paul Hughes (19th), John Rogers (20th), Bob Brimage (23rd) and Gary Fair (24th) to take second place to Liverpool Pembroke with 122 points.
The youths, over-confident before the race, relaxed too much, and let Liverpool Harriers 'steal' the title from them by only four points. Placings for Wallasey were: Dave Lockley (2nd), John Jones (4th), Brian Knox (9th), Mel Schless (11th) , Steve Walker (18th) and Phil Wealthy (19th).
In the senior event over 7½ miles, Ron Barlow had a great fight with Sutton's Roberts before conceding the premier award in the last few strides.
Club captain, Barrie Smith came through well to take 8th place with John Wright (10th), Doug Hanna (54th), Ken Rosso (60th), Len Durkin (69th) and Mike Teahan (83rd).
There will be a run from the club house today at 2.30 p.m. as part of the preparation for the West Lancashire Championships at St. Helens next week - whilst the track session on Tuesday at Lingham and the circuit training on Wednesday continue.
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 20/01/1968
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