At Saturday's national class meeting at the new Kirkby Stadium, Ron Barlow (Wallasey Athletic Club) - in the middle of his training for the A.A.A. marathon - achieved his best-ever track performance when he beat internationals Brian Craig and Gerry North to win the 3-mile event in a personal best time of 13 mins. 48 secs.
Dropping Craig after only the first mile, Barlow and Gerry North quickly parted company with the rest of the field. When Barlow piled on the pressure with 3 laps to go, North could find no answer and Barlow went on to finish so strongly as to cast some doubt on whether the marathon will in fact turn out to be his best event.
Miler Mather's 3rd.
After a month's setback through injury, Wallasey A.C. miler Kevin Mather returned to top-class competition in the mile event to finish in third place, behind internationals Brian Hall and Stan Taylor, with a time of 4 mins. 11 secs.
Following upon his 1 minute 54 second half-mile at Port Sunlight on the previous Wednesday, this was quite satisfactory, and Mather may yet achieve some good times in the later stages of this track season.
2-Mile Successes.
At the same Port Sunlight meeting John Young won the 2 miles in 9 mins. 30 secs., while Roy Parry continued to show increasing fitness on his return to athletics when he recorded 4 mins. 40 secs, in the mile.
At the Widnes Police Sports on the previous Saturday, Wallasey A.C. runners won the 2-mile team event when they beat Rochdale A.C. by one point, with Kevin Mather winning the individual race in 9 mins. 18 secs, and Brian Chalton and John Young in 6th and 9th positions respectively.
Championships Today.
Today sees Wallasey A.C. track championships at Leasowe Road Playing Fields and members are asked to give their maximum support.
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 27/07/1963 by R.M.C.
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