Victoria Park, Warrington, was the venue for last Sunday's 3 x 1¼ mile cross-country relays. It was staged by Warrington Athletic Club and sponsored by the Burtonwood Brewery.
There were seven different races with over 1,000 athletes participating from the 43 different clubs entering from is far afield as Gateshead.
Wallasey Athletic Club should have run five teams, but the non-arrival, of some team members meant that only three complete teams ran. We are not usually let down by members, especially when they are a vital link in a team; it is hoped that it doesn't happen again.
The colts team was the first to suffer so any chance of gaining an award was completely annulled. Liverpool Harriers, however, had a 'spare' colt and loaned him to us to make up our team. Not being a complete club team it couldn't count in the competition.
Phil D'Arcy, one of the club's busiest and most versatile colts, ran the first lap in his usual positive fashion finishing strongly to hand over to the less-experienced Stuart Moran.
Stuart's experience is lacking only because of his comparatively recent membership of the club. He lost several places before handing over to Billy Adamson of Liverpool, who dropped a further place to give us a finishing position of 52nd.
The boys' squad suffered two losses from its C team. This didn't affect the runners, however, many of whom had been busier earlier in the day participating in the 'Help the Aged' sponsored walk around Central Park.
Kevin McGee ran an excellent second leg, pulling the A team from 14th to 10th before handing to Dave Southern for the final lap.
Running without a team backing, Keith McAlister finished in 68th position just ahead of Neil Tunstall, making a welcome return to cross-country competition in 73rd place.
Youths' completed the bill for the male team competition.
Chris Wright, after his recent English Schools success, ran his usual high standard of race. Chris, who prefers a slightly longer distance over the country, returned in ninth place and handed over to Phil Ashley who dropped a few places before handing over to the slightly injured Noel Williams, who dropped more places to finish in 29th place.
Carole Jenkinson must have been as surprised as anyone else to learn that she had returned the fastest time of the girls in the team. She ran in third place, taking over from Joanne Macdonald, who brought the team from 35th to 33rd. Karen Howley ran the first leg. Another recent member of the athletic club, she ran well to finish in the top half of the field.
Full results were not ready before leaving, so only the girls' times can be given: Karen Howley, 10min 7sec, Joanne Macdonald; 10min 6sec and Carole Jenkinson, 10min 1sec.
This race marked the end of the club's commitments over the country. Saturday, at Woodchurch Community Centre, is the venue for an inter-club match on the track. Your support will be most welcome.
Sunday morning is the annual return of the Northern Veterans to Wallasey. Veterans are members who are 40 and over and include some of the area's best runners. Wallasey Athletic Club will have some members competing in the race, which starts from the rugby club, Leasowe Road.
Would all members please try to attend the annual meeting tonight, Friday, April 9, at the Claremont Road Methodist Church, (top of Sandy Lane) commencing at 7:45 p.m.
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 10/04/1976 by D.H.
Ref 1906