The climax to Wallasey Athletic Club's cross-country season was the running of the national championships at Leeds on Saturday, March 6.
Due to injuries and work commitments, only a handful of athletes made the journey. In the youths' four-mile race, only Mike Perry ran to form, finishing 540th out of well over 600 starters. Mike Jones, suffering badly on the steep hill at the end of the first lap, failed to complete the course.
The main race of the day, the senior nine miles, saw Wallasey field four runners. By the time the race started, the course had become very muddy, due to continuous rain throughout the afternoon. Bob Brimage continued his good form of recent weeks by finishing in 502nd position. Bob was backed up by John Rothwell, in 1,472nd place; Paul Heaney, 1,1568th; and Clive Uttley, 1,583 rd, out of a field of over 1,800 runners.
It was also good to see several of our ladies' section at the men's races shouting encouragement - it would be good to see our boys at Ellesmere Port this Saturday to cheer on the girls - so come on, lads.
Last Saturday saw the annual TSB races and relay at Sefton Park, Liverpool. A good turnout from the girls enabled Wallasey to finish sixth team in the under-11 race, with very good runs from all four girls, especially Joanne Johnson, who finished in 22nd place.
In the under-15 girls, Lynn Kennedy ran very well and was well-placed at halfway, but dropped back slightly and finished 19th, but still an excellent run. Sheila Rae also ran well, finishing in 41st place in the same race.
The intermediate and senior ladies' race saw Janet McGee and Francesca Phillips once again establish themselves as two of the leading intermediates on Merseyside and Anne Brimage, making a return to racing after several months' absence, ran well, to finish 70th.
In the boys' races, only Ray Eaton of the younger lads competed. Ray finished well down the field, but is gaining, experience with every race. The senior men Competed in a 4 x 4-mile relay, but, with several of our leading athletes absent, we did well to finish two teams.
The A team, led off by Kevin McGee, never challenged the leaders. Kevin, competing with a very heavy cold, was disappointed to finish 3rd. Bob Brimage made up eight places and ran well to record the team's fastest time of the day.
For the B team, John Lynch made a welcome return to competitive athletics and is now looking for a good run in. the Northern Vets 10,000 metres road race next month. Bob Phillips, running for the B team, also deserves a mention for recording Wallasey's third fastest time of the day - and that after a 10-mile training run in the morning.
Bob is currently training, for next month's Manchester marathon and should, on current form, record his best ever time of under two hours 50 minutes.
Full results as follows:
Girls under-11 1500 metres: 22nd, Joanne Johnson, 6 mins 07 secs; 27th. Sharon Heaney, 6 mins 14 secs: 38th. Liesel Philips, 6 mins 22 secs: 45th Kerry Eaton, 6 mins 27 secs.
Girls under-15 3000 metres: 19th, Lynn Kennedy, 12 mins 11 secs; 41st, Sheila Ray, 12 mins 59 secs.
Inter/Senior ladies 3000 metres: 42nd. Janet McGee, 13 mins 09 secs: 46th. Fran Phillips, 12 mins 20 secs: 70th. Anne Brimage, 13 mins 40 secs.
Senior men 4 x 4 mile relay: A team: Kevin McGee, 23 mins 57 secs; Bob Brimage, 35th, 22 mins 48 secs: Alan Johnson, 41st, 26 mins 37 secs; John Rothwell, 44th, 26 mins 23 secs.
B team: Paul Heaney, 27 mins 58 secs; Clive Uttley, 27 mins 31 secs; John Lynch, 27 mins 13 secs; Bob Phillips, 24 mins 50 secs.
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 20/03/1982
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