On September 23 Wallasey participated in the first annual seven mile road race at Warrington, in memory of Chris Vose, a former international athlete of that town.
The course was a pleasant flat one, and Wallasey's four representatives - Brian Woolford, Ron Barlow, Kevin Mather and John Wright were soon up at the front of the strong field which included Ron Hill (Bolton), the winner of the Liverpool Marathon, D. Spencer (Barrow) and D. G. Shelley of North Staffs and Stone H.
By the half-way stage these three runners and Woolford and Barlow were making the pace with Mather and Wright a short distance behind. Over the last few miles Hill and Woolford went away from the others, and at the end of the race Brian Woolford was beaten by the narrow margin of six seconds, by a faster finishing Hill. Without a doubt this has been Brian Woolford's best-ever season and we all look forward to him continuing his form over the country in the coming season.
Ron Barlow has improved in every race in the last few weeks and he finished very strongly, in a desperate final sprint, to beat Spencer by inches for fourth place. Kevin Mather and John Wright finished seventh and ninth respectively:-
FINAL POSITIONS
The final positions were as follows: 1, R. Hill (Bolton) 33 mins. 07 secs.; 2, B. Woolford (Wallasey) 33 mins. 13 secs; 3, D. G. Shelley (North Staffs & Stone) 33 mins. 38 secs.; 4, R. Barlow (Wallasey) 34 mins. 13 secs.; 5, D. A. Spencer (Barrow) 34 mins. 13 secs.
Wallasey won the team race easily with 13 points (2, 4, 7) from Barrow, 32 points and Leigh 61 pts.
This Saturday the opening run of the 1961-62 cross-country season takes place. The occasion is the Monstre Meet and will take place from Boundary Harriers' H.Q. at Old Roan, Liverpool, at 2.30 p.m.
All supporters will be welcome from the club, and any athlete who would like to take part in cross-country races this season should make a special effort to attend, in order to assess the amount of training necessary for them to attain fitness.
Seniors will run over a three-mile course and boys and youths will have a short run, followed by a half mile break.
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 07/10/1961 by P.W.C.
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