Along with those other athletic clubs, Wallasey A.C. pushed aside the competitive spirit when they held their Christmas Handicap. The principle being that everyone has an equal chance of glory from the young girls and veterans to the club 'stars' with the help of a liberal time allowance.
The course was three and a quarter miles containing a short stretch of sand. First away was young Christine Horobin hotly pursued by club president and veteran runner Ramsey Hewson. These were followed by the older girls, boys, youths and seniors consecutively with the final runner setting off some
eight minutes behind the first.
SHORT LIVED
For many athletes the contemplation of victory was SHORT LIVED as Dave Lockley setting off last shot past, carving his way through the field on his way to a new course record of 16 minutes 35 seconds, 10 seconds inside Ron Barlow's old record. Despite this great effort Dave could only make third place.
John Lynch turned out the winner having gained ten places from half miler Peter Lewis who somehow found the extra stamina to move up twelve places.
As usual the handicappers did a fabulous job with twenty of the twenty-four runners finishing within two minutes of each other.
TRAINING
With no race this weekend the athletes will be using their Christmas vacations to full advantage by training especially hard before the Cheshire Championships on January 3rd.
CHRISTMAS HANDICAP RESULTS
(actual time in brackets)
1, J. Lynch (19 mins. 34 secs.) 24 mins. 9 secs; 2, P. Lewis (18-20) 24-10; 3, D. Lockley (16-35) 24-20; 4, D. Hanna (18-40) 24-28; 5, R. Brimage (18-10) 24-30; 6, C. Tomlinson (20-25) 24-30; 7, R. McGunn (18-40) 24-30; 8, G. Sathis (19-57) 24-32; 9, P. Wealthy (17-43) 23-33; 10, J. Wright (17-18) 24-33; 11, B. Smith (17-20) 24-35; 12, M. Teahan (18-19) 24-59; 13, M. Whiteside (18-19) 24-59; 14, D. Hughes (18-56) 25-06; 15, A. Ostler (20-57) 25-32; 16, R. Warburton (19-02) 25-42; 17, M. Ashcroft (21-43) 25-53; 18, R. Hewson (25-25) 25-55; 19, S. Carter (23-21) 25-56: 20, G. Ackers (23-03) 26-08; 21, P. Wock (22-37) 26-12; 22, S. Brimage (22-45) 26-20; 23, M. Caldwell (23-55) 26-30; 24, C. Horobin (27-30) 27-30; 25, I. Wilson (24-25) 29-25.
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Wednesday, 24/12/1969 by DMW
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