The Liverpool & District Cross-Country Union's Annual " Monster Meet" was held last Saturday, the organisers being Liverpool Harriers & A.C., whose headquarters are situated in Gateacre.
About sixty novice runners and a similar number of seniors followed a route which covered part of last season's District Championship course and after three miles the novices separated from the seniors and made their way towards the road for the start of the mile road race.
In this race, Wallasey runners predominated from start to finish. J. A. Richardson led off at a fast pace closely followed by Hopkins and this order was maintained until 200 yards from the finish when Richardson tired and fell back to fourth place. Hopkins went on in front only to be caught in the last 50 yards by J. L. Davies, Wallasey A.C's. popular hon. treasurer, who ran a perfectly judged race. His well-deserved success surprised everyone except his close friends who know how carefully this thoughtful runner trains. Wallasey runners filled the following positions : 1st, 2nd, 4th, 7th (J. Williams), 8th (P. Watson). Sephton, of Sefton Harriers was third. It is worthy of mention that Wallasey A.C. filled the 1st, 2nd and 4th places in the corresponding race last year.
The senior pack which included most of the best Merseyside runners, covered a further two miles of country in a loop which brought them to the beginning of the road race. Lightfoot, out for the first time this season, Marples, Ledward and Edwards were Wallasey Athletic Club's representatives in this race.
At the start, Robinson , the Sefton runner well remembered for winning one of the, fastest miles during the summer in 4 mins, 4 secs., went right to the front followed by Westmore, the University captain and Noel Marples with Ledward lying about sixth. Robinson made a very hot pace and many runners were in distress before the end of the first quarter. Frost, of Pembroke A.C., the Merseyside two-mile track champion, moved into second place and Edwards, of Wallasey, after a poor start had worked up to third position. At three-quarters of a mile Edwards passed Frost and started to shorten the leader's advantage. However, in a most desperate finish, Frost put in a tremendous effort to pass Edwards and then Robinson and went on to win by two yards. Meanwhile Norman Jones, the English International runner came along strongly to beat Edwards for third place in the last few strides. Noel Marples ran extremely well and his 11th place in such good company was very creditable. Lightfoot was 14th and Ledward 19th, both sound performances.
Prizes were distributed by Mr. A. G. Nicholson, the Union's President, who is also President of Wallasey A.C. and the meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the organisers for their splendid efforts.
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 09/10/1937
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