In preparation for the club championship to-day, members of Wallasey A.C. took an easy training run last Saturday over a 9 mile course.
The runners led by W. Richardson, kept together for most of the distance. In a sharp sprint home over the last two miles, D. Grisdale ran very well to finish first ahead of Richardson and Williams. J. Edwards, the present club champion, setting out after the main pack, showed that he is in his best form and evidently means to retain his title.
The race to-day will start at 3.30 from the Leasowe Road headquarters. The individual honours clearly lie between Edwards and Westmore, the University runner, who is competing for the first time in the Wallasey A.C. Championship. Both men have been showing splendid form throughout the season and a close and exciting struggle is certain. A few months ago, the odds would definitely have been on Westmore, but recently he has gone off a little while Edwards is still running as consistently as ever. The latter will also have the great advantage of knowing the course thoroughly and in view of this fact, a victory for him by a narrow margin is anticipated.
The third place in the race will also be closely contested with N. Marples running at his best, W. Richardson, the former champion, showing a return to something like his old form and D. Grisdale repeating lasting last Saturday's effort, it is difficult to forecast their positions. It seems likely, however, that they will finish in the order mentioned, though it is always possible that runners like W. Geddes, W. Williams or J. Richardson may spring a surprise (a very big one) by turning out and beating all three. Whatever the result, an exciting race is assured with every probability, if the weather is favourable, of a new course record being set up.
Last Saturday, the National Cross-Country Championship was contested under ideal conditions at Reading. There were 281 starters representing 29 clubs. The individual title over a 9 mile course was won by J. Holden of Tipton Harriers in 55 minutes, 39 secs. from C. Emery of North Staffordshire and S. Palmer of Mitcham A.C.
Team honours went to Mitcham A.C., the Southern Champions (91 pts.) with Birchfield, the holders, second (116 pts.) and Belgrave third. Considerable interest centred in the performance of N. Jones, the Liverpool & District Champion who did well to finish 6th, 37 secs. behind the leaders, and he thus secures a place in the English international team. His club, Liverpool Pembroke Harriers, were 10th in the race and thus had every reason to be satisfied with their performance.
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 19/03/1938
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