On Sunday, the first proper athletics meeting of the track season took place for Wallasey Athletic Club at Kirkby Stadium.
Wallasey can boast a large number of athletes at the meeting, which itself was well-entered by other clubs from all over the North.
In the under 11 girls' 800 metres, Jane McCoy romped home looking very easy in first place, 12 seconds ahead of her nearest rival. Lisa O'Hara in the same distance race in the junior ladies age group, she did herself justice by finishing a credible fourth in a well-judged race. Lisa was credited with the same time as the third place athlete but, unfortunately, she was beaten into fourth on the 'dip' at the post.
Lynne Kennedy, in the inter-ladies 800 metres, surprised herself by finishing third in a time comparing favourably with her personal best.
She maintained third place throughout the race and ran home well clear of the five other athletes behind her.
Janet McGee, in the senior ladies 800 metres, won her race, which was tactical. Janet stayed well-placed behind the leading-group, allowing them to set the pace. She then made her break for home with 150 metres to go. She hurtled past the pacemakers to win.
She had gained some prestigious scalps in winning the race, including Anne Williams, who last year had represented Great Britain over 400 metres, and is a very competent 800m runner.
A good race to witness was the senior men's 3,000 metres, where Kevin McGee, brother to Janet, and James Roberts had fast and strong runs. Kevin broke away with the leading bunch halfway through the race, while James, although highly-placed was left to run on his own as the field was well spread. Both finished the race feeling pleased with their times but neither of them were personal bests. Kevin finished fifth and Jim 10th.
Pete Jones, recently come back from illness into training ran in the senior 800 metres. His aim was to break two minutes but the
tactics of the race leaders slowed the pace down to such an extent that a sub two-minute time was practically unobtainable, even though the pace picked up three-quarters of the way through.
He finished 1½ seconds outside his desired time, which is good going for such a race and conditions.
In the youths' 400 metres, Neil Henfrey ran close to his personal best to finish second. He had hoped for a faster time, but the conditions were not ideal. Dave Pendleton also ran a 400 metres in the same age group but a different heat. His time was fast considering he had just run 3,000 metres half an hour before.
RESULTS
Under -11 girls, 800m - 1. Jane McCoy 2.48.6.
Junior ladies, 800m - 4. Lisa O'Hara 2.37,2. 100m - Lisa O'Hara 14.4.
Intermediate ladies, 800m - 3. Lynne Kennedy 2.24.8.
Senior ladies, 800m - 1. Janet McGee 2.17.7. 100m - 4. Jane Dyer 13.9.
Colts, 800m - heat 1, 3. Michael King 2:37.6; heat 2, Paul Backhouse 2.32.1; 100m 1. Mike King 14.7.
Boys, 1500m - 5. Geoff Nuttall 5.20.9. 6. Nigel Thompson 5.27.6. 400m - 3. Mark Cooper 61.6; 4. Ray Eaton 62.9 - 100m - 2. Ray Eaton 13.2;4. Geoff Nuttall 14.2
Youths, 400m - 2. Neil Henfrey 57.3 7. Dave Pendleton 58.7. 100m - 5. Alan Peckham 13.8. 3000m - 1. Peter Doyle 9.22.8; 9. Dave Pendleton 9.54.8:
Senior men 800m - 6. Pete Jones 2.01.6. 400m - 1. Pete Jones 54.2. 3000m - 5. Kevin McGee 8.35.5; 10 James Roberts 9.01.5
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 02/04/1983
Ref 1968