On a fine cold day Wallasey Athletic Club's annual Christmas Handicap Race was held at Club H.Q. last Saturday.
The number of competitors was considerably reduced but club president John Edwards, and John Lynch made welcome reappearances.
Mike Shepherd was the first runner out on Leasowe Road, with five minutes start on scratch men Wright, Mather, and Woolford. One minute later John Edwards and John Lynch set out on the three and a half mile course, followed at an interval by Ramsay Hewson, Brian Chalton and John Young. Tony Townsend and Bill Morris were next out and these two started forty-five seconds in front of the scratch runners.
As expected the back markers quickly made up ground, and at the start of Telegraph Lane, Morris had gained a slight lead, which he held to the end, just holding off the fast-finishing John Wright.
The handicapping was excellent, with only twenty seconds covering the first five runners.
Handicap positions: 1st, W. Morris, 22 mins. 26 secs, (actual time 18 mins. 11 secs.); 2nd, J. Wright, 22 mins. 30 secs. (17 mins. 30 secs.); 3rd, A. Townsend, 22 mins. 36 secs. (18 mins. 21 secs.); 4th, K Mather (17 mins. 42 secs, actual).
FINAL MOB RUN
The final Mob Run took place at Wirral A.C's H.Q. the previous week-end, over a seven mile course.
Woolford took the lead on the second of the three laps and went on to win by forty-six seconds from John McAllister of Wirral. Morris finished in 10th position and Ron Barlow, who had a bad day, was further back.
There are no races today but next week Barlow, Mather, Morris and Woolford travel to Shrewsbury for the "Round the Houses" Race which takes place at night.
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 23/12/1961 by P.W.C.
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