Fifth place behind Sebastian Coe's club out of an entry including 40 of the North's top teams was the latest success for Wallasey Athletic Club's trio of 'Mighty Atoms'.
Running in the annual Frodsham Relays, Wallasey were the first local club to finish as Hallamshire Harriers, from Yorkshire, came home winners in the under 11s.
On the first of the three 550-metre stages around a sports field and over hay bales, Jane McCoy brought Wallasey home in sixth place in 2 mins 10 secs. Liesel Phillips maintained the position with her effort of 2 mins 7 secs and that time was matched by Joanne Johnson in a finely judged third leg which moved her team up one place.
All three girls at 10 years old and the daughters of active members of the club. Last year they were placed eighth in the same race and this past summer Joanne has run 800 metres on the track in 2 mins 39.6 secs - which must be one of the fastest times for her age in the country - while Jane has recorded 2 mins 43 secs for the distance and Liesel has only been beaten once in 80 metres and 100 metres races.
With five teams in action in the various age groups at Frodsham, Wallasey's girl runners are showing plenty of promise for the future. Francesca Phillips, getting in some stamina work for her 400 metres hurdling, recorded a time of 4 mins 24 secs for the 1100 metre course in the senior race. There were also fine efforts from Helen Atherton in the under 15s race and Lisa Boardman in the under 17s as both of them recorded 4 mins 31 secs - and in each case they were running their first ever cross-country races. Wallasey's men, begin their Liverpool & District League cross-country campaign later this month and will again be looking to Bob Brimage as their leading points scorer. Recently named club Male Athlete Of The Year, Bob has recorded fine times in the Burtonwood and Cheshire County Road Relays in the past few weeks and also placed fourth in the Wirral 10 miles Fun Run from New Brighton Cricket Club.
Bob has received just reward for his sterling efforts in being selected for the representative West Lancashire District Team to take part in the Northern Counties Centenary Race next month.
Wallasey Athletic Club meets on Monday evenings at Leasowe Leisure Centre, on Tuesday evenings at St. George's School in Leasowe Road, and on Wednesday evenings at the Woodchurch Sports Centre, starting at 7.15 pm and expert coaching and advice is provided for athletes of all ages and standards.
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Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 30/10/1982
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