J. T. Holden, of Tipton Harriers, successfully defended his National cross-country title won over ten miles at Worsley, near Manchester, last Saturday.
In his long athletic career Holden, who, incidentally, was thirty-two years of age last Saturday, has won the International cross-country race three times running, the National twice and the Midland Counties' Championship eight times, truly a fine athlete.
A. E. Tyrer, who finished second, received a great ovation from the big crowd which had gathered despite the torrential rain, for in the big field of nearly 500 runners, he made every post a winning post until about a mile from the finish, when, with victory within his grasp, Holden produced his almost super-human effort to pass Tyrer, and win by about 50 yards. The course at Worsley is two miles long and had to be traversed five times. It was in very heavy condition, mud a foot deep being encountered on many parts and the runners were tested to the full by these almost freak conditions, especially as it rained heavily during most of the race. J. H. Reeve, of Slough Harriers and R.A.F., finished third after making most of the running, followed by E. A. Stimpson. of Belgrave Harriers. J. H. Potts, of Saltwell Harriers, who was second to Tyrer in the recent Northern Championships and sixth was J. Noble (aged 36) of the famous Hallamshire Club.
C. A. J. Emery, the International cross-country champion, had a gruelling time during the race and was badly placed at the end of the first lap, but pulled up well to finish 17th. He is obviously unsuited to a course of this description. The team title was won by Belgrave Harriers with Birchfield Harriers second and the holders, Mitcham A.C. third.
To-day, Wallasey A.C. holds its club Championship over eight miles at Leasowe. The course will go over the marshes to Bidston and on to Moreton, Upton, back to Bidston and over the marshes again to the finish. The hat-trick holder. J. Edwards, will defend his title against the former holder, W. R. Richardson, the ex-University champion K.A. Westmore, the fast moving N. Marples and the former Cheshire County mile champion. K. Leach, to name but a few of the challengers, and a really fine and interesting race should ensue.
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 18/03/1939
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