In the Northern Ladies' Cross country Championships held at Cleckheaton, Yorkshire, Wallasey Athletic Club Ladies' captain Barbara Banks, demonstrated her complete mastery over all the north can offer, with a superb demonstration of great running.
The course of rough country and tough hills proved more of a problem to Barbara than the 50 competitors did. Always in the leading group, Barbara disposed of her final challenger Phyllis Lowis of Bury A.C. after, two miles to win by 200 yards.
In the absence of Jean Beswick, the other Wallasey A.C. runners were trying all they knew to wrestle the team prize from holders Bury A.C.
Sheana O'Dell ran well to finish 11th, the ever improving Margaret Ashcroft was 12th, and newcomer Mary Caldwell, yet to begin regular training was 44th. The team did very well to gain second place behind Bury A.C.
In the intermediate race, Sylvia Brimage led the team home in 15th place. This was a very good run and well above her earlier season form. 42nd was Susan Carter, 43rd Lillian King, who just got the better of teammate Lindsey Mutch who beat her in the Cheshire Championship. The team did well gaining 6th place.
The junior team failed to gain, such a high place, but ran with plenty of spirit, being led home by Lillian Ackes well up in 30th place. Susan Lloyd was 67th and Christine Horobin did well to beat Julie Halfpenny to complete the team.
After an incident-packed six hour coach trip to Sheffield, the boys' and youths' teams arrived too late to race, while the seniors and juniors were too exhausted and hungry to run to any effect. John Wright the most experienced runner doing best in gaining 99th
place in the senior race.
Next week, there is no race and members will be training hard for the National Championships in two weeks time.
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 14/02/1970
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