Running in the St. Asaph-Rhyl Road Race last Saturday, Wallasey Athletic Club's team turned in a brave performance in attempting to retain the title they won last year. However, without the services of Ron Barlow and John Wright, the field proved too strong for the other club members who were competing.
Brian Woolford was again the first Wallasey man home, occupying 6th position with yet another fine run. Roy Parry ran a steady race to finish second home in 24th place and John Young, producing his best running this season, was the third man home in 33rd place. Brian Chalton was 51st, Kevin Mather 54th and David Field 88th.
Individual honours went to Ron Hill of Bolton, who so far this season is unbeaten in road races; 2nd was Don Shelley, international marathon runner; and in 3rd place was the Cheshire cross-country champion Martin Cranny of Wirral A.C.
The team title went to Blackpool. The next three teams all scored 39 pts and the placings were decided by the positions of the third counting man, so it became: 2nd, Manchester A.C.; 3rd. British Railways, Derby; 4th, Bolton; 5th, Clayton-le-Moors; and in 6th position, Wallasey A.C. were the first Liverpool & District team to finish.
TODAY'S BID FOR NORTHERN TITLE
Today the Northern Cross-Country Championships are being held at Stewart Park, Middlesbrough, and Wallasey are sending only a senior team. With their fine running in winning the West Lancashire title two weeks ago and with being able to field a full-strength team, hopes are high that the team will gain a place. Main opposition will come from the very strong Manchester & District L.C.H., the present holders, who in winning the East Lancashire title packed their scoring runners into the first 14 places. Barrow, Rochdale and Wirral must all be in with a chance, and the Wallasey runners will have to pull out all the stops if the team is to succeed.
There will be a run from the club headquarters for all other members, commencing at 2.30 p.m.
Next Saturday, Feb. 22, there will be a sealed handicap race for all age groups, run over the Christmas Handicap course, commencing from the club headquarters at 2.45 p.m.
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 15/02/1964 by STEPTOE
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