Every competitor a prize. That is the aim of most cross-country clubs when planning their Christmas handicap races.
This practice owes its origin to the days when prizes for club races were invariably presented by the many enthusiastic patrons of the sport. As almost all insisted on remembering their clubs at Christmas time, there was a prize for everyone and the tradition grew strong.
With 40 or 50 competitors likely to make an appearance these days, however, secretaries take on that anxious look lest there be not enough prizes provided to go round, and rather than that this should occur, make a few quiet purchases, just in case.
Let this be a reminder, therefore to those old runners, parents, and friends, if you happen to have a turkey to spare, a Christmas cake, or just a few bob, the club secretary will welcome your contribution. and yourself, at headquarters on Saturday next.
The diminutive, ginger-haired, East Cheshire Harrier, J. Wild, was a sound winner of the Cheshire County senior championship, which was held under very wet conditions at Winnington Park. A newcomer in B. Smith (Sale Harriers) was second and A. Callaghan (Stockport) third.
The first Merseysider to finish was the holder of the title. J. F. Green, of Wirral A.C., who occupied fourth place. East Cheshire Harriers, the holders of the senior team title, won again with 62 points, while Wirral A.C. scored 80 points to be second and Stockport 110 points, third.
The youths' championship was a triumph for Wallasey A.C., for in addition to supplying the individual winner in D. Anderson in 16mins. 51 secs they also won the team event by placing 1, 3, 4, 8. to score 16 points, against Stockport's 28 points and Wirral A.C. were third with 42 points.
The Cheshire team for the Inter-County Championship at York on January 19 was afterwards chosen as follows J. Wild (East Cheshire H.), B. Smith (Sale H.), A. Callaghan (Stockport), J. F. Green (Wirral A.C.), R. Johnson (Wallasey A.C.), T Smith (East Cheshire), G. Knott (Stockport), J. Frost (East Cheshire), J. H. McFarland (Wallasey ).
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 15/12/1951
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