On Sunday, November 20, Wallasey A.C. held a sponsored run which was organised by some of the parents to raise funds for a children Christmas party.
The run started from Seacombe Ferry at approximately 10 a.m., with all those taking part starting together to run distances of between three and 15 miles. The farthest distance was from the ferry to Moreton Lighthouse and back.
The youngest runner was Ian Johnson, aged six, who ran three miles after overcoming a stitch halfway. Another youngster, Alison Hargreaves, who is eight, completed four miles while her friend, Paula, ran extremely well for an eight-year-old to finish five-and-a-half-miles in a time of 43:29.
Running over the five-mile course, Diane Dasher came home in a time of 43:20.
Paul Johnson and Neil Cross came home together in a time at 50:38, after running six miles, closely followed by Emma Derwent and Joanne Johnson, who crossed the line in 51:03, with Lisa O'Hara and Anne Brimage finishing in 52:03.
Running together, Collette Winstanley and Collette Harding finished in a time of 53:14, which was just six seconds before Paula Bacall finished. Newcomer Wayne Ridgely did very well to finish in 55:15, while Mike King finished in 46:26. The fastest runner of the six-mile course was Mark Cooper, in a time of 43 minutes.
Five runners covered a distance of 10 miles, with Rob Howarth running extremely well in a time of 57:50 followed by Chris Lees in 63:12; Dave Neal in 68:12; Nigel Thompson in 66:15; and the youngest runner in this group, Dave Dasher, running well in a time of 71:23.
Nine runners successfully completed the farthest distance of 15 miles. Running in together in a time of 1:28:25 were Bob Phillips, Bob Brimage, Alan Johnson and 17-year-old Dave Pendleton. Paul Freeman was less than a minute behind, in 1:29.08. James Downey finished in 1:31:45, closely followed by Tommy Cooper in 1:34:43.
Congratulations to Ray Dasher and Mike Hardwick, who set themselves a target of two hours for this distance, and who triumphantly finished in times of 1:48:15 and 1:44:52 respectively. Thanks to all who took part and to those who came to help and support.
Five girls from the club took part in a selection race on Saturday at Clarkes Garden and after running well with Joanne Johnson in third, Emma Derwent in eighth, Leisel Phillips in 15th, Lisa O'Hara in 25th and Collette Harding in 56th. Joanne, Emma and Leisel will hopefully be selected to represent Merseyside Schools in a match against an Isle of Man team in the Isle of Man in January.
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 26/11/1983
Ref 1989