Wallasey Athletic Club, which celebrates its centenary this year, is still on the run. The first A.G.M. of the then Wallasey Harriers was in the rural Oarside farm on Wednesday, September 26,1906.
Now a display of memorabilia is being staged at Earlston Road Library in Wallasey.
Current chairman Bob Brimage, Liverpool Council's running development officer helped put together the exhibition. He says: 'There were a number of Harrier clubs in the area at that time, and Wallasey Harriers was formed by the members of Liscard Congregational Harriers -named after the church situated on Rake Lane. The club ran all over the country between the months of September and April when the farmers allowed the participants to run across their fields.
'Athletics became a major activity. But, due to lack of facilities in recent years, the club now caters predominately for road running, although it does participate in cross-country events in the winter and in track and field meetings in the summer.'
As well as being affiliated to county, northern and national cross-country and athletic associations, the club has regularly produced champions. Member Alan Pennington competed in the Berlin Olympic Games.
The WAC has also produced a number of hard-working and well respected administrators, such as Ramsey Hewson, now 84, and the current president.
The club is currently contacting world famous athletes like Seb Coe, David Moorcroft and Brendan Foster to tell them about their glorious 100 years.
'This is about looking back,' says Bob, 'but also about looking and running ahead in the future.'.
Events to celebrate the centenary year will culminate with a dinner at St. Albans church hall in Liscard on September 16 for all members, ex-members or friends of the club.
A display of memorabilia will run until May 5 at Earlston Road Library.
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Source - Liverpool Echo - Saturday, 29/04/2006 by Peter Grant
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