Those who made the tedious journey to Galgate last Saturday in support of the West Lancashire novice team race had their reward in the impressive display by the individual winner, Michael Rainford, of Preston Harriers.
Display is the correct term to use here, for after the first half-mile, during which the pack was led by G. Martin (Liverpool Boundary Harriers). Rainford tool command and quickly opened up a long gap. From this point he was never challenged, and running with the ease born of complete confidence he crossed the winning line 44 seconds on front of R. P. Brearley (Lancaster Harriers).
Now Brearley is not a first-year runner, as are most of the competitors in this race, and is known in North Lancashire as a coming champion with already some interesting scalps to his credit. On Saturday however, Rainford was far and away the better performer and finished as fresh as a daisy.
He is seventeen years of age, and when asked after the race whether he would be competing at Childwall in the Lancashire Youth's Championship in January, his reply was very much to the point. He will not only be competing, but he has every intention of winning it. He is in good hands, his coach being Bobby Roberts, the West Lancashire secretary and Pembroke president, who is now resident in Preston.
MERSEY TEAMS SHINE
All the team prizes were brought to Merseyside, for Wirral A.C. and Pembroke tied for first place with 51 points each, and Wallasey were third with 62 points. The Wirral team were led home by their javelin-throwing champion M. E. Morrell, who finished 7th, T. Welsh 12th, A. Williams 15th, and J. Lynch 17th. Pembroke finished R. Williams 3rd, J. E. Highton 5th (these two ran shoulder to shoulder almost throughout the race), and then had to go back to 21 for their next man. J. Milburn and 23 D. Price. These teams share the trophy and receive equal medals. The Wallasey team were K. Foot 6, D. J. Anderson 11, K. Ledward 20, R. Maddock 25.
Although all grass land, the course was very heavy indeed, and the advertised distance of 5¼ miles was just about one mile out. Good though Rainford undoubtedly is, it is hard to accept that he can cover more than 4¼ mil of that type of country in the time of 24 minutes 38 seconds. For which error, no doubt all the competitors were truly grateful.
CALGATE STOOD OFF
One wonders if the desired effect of creating interest in the district was attained. IF so, then the residents of Galgate and Lancaster have a strange way of showing it, for apart from the local committee, who had undoubtedly worked hard to lay on everything that could be desired to make the race a success, there were not a dozen spectators from the district. Those present were, in the main, the usual band of club officials and enthusiasts from the south-west of Lancashire and Cheshire, who are to be found at every race.
The Northern Cross-Country Championships are to be held in the West Lancashire area in the season 1952, and one hears talk of holding them in North Lancashire. The committee should pause awhile. Experiments are all very well with small events, but the Northern Championships are too big to be played about with. They should be held where cross-country interest is the strongest, and as far as West Lancashire is concerned that means right here on Merseyside.
THE TRIANGLE
Liverpool Pembroke and Liverpool Boundary Harriers are visiting Wallasey A.C. at their new headquarters in Leasowe Road for a tri-angular contest next Saturday, whilst Liverpool Harriers are to hold their Christmas Handicap. This is the outstanding club event of the season and no wonder, for every competitor receives a prize. The first prize is always a turkey, which leads some of the "Old Canaries" to call the race the "turkey trot". The doyen of club presidents, Tommy Blair is always at his best when presenting the prizes after the race, and he has something different to say to each of the fifty to sixty members who take part. The race is over a three-mile road course, and this year starts and finishes at Childwall Church Hall, Childwall Abbey Road. The start will be at 3 p.m.
Ends
Source - Liverpool Echo - Saturday, 09/12/1950
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