Within the region of 100 runners represented eight athletic clubs at Prenton last week for the first peace-time cross-country gathering, the 'Monstre Meet' organised by the Liverpool & District Cross-Country Union.
Many well known figures in the athletic world were there, including the distinguished runners C. Kelly of Liverpool Pembroke A.C. who was second in the Stalin Mile at Fallowfield this year. Mr A. G. Nicholson, President of Wallasey Athletic Club, who is also President of the Liverpool & District C.C.U. was the chief official.
The big pack ran about five miles cross-country before splitting into two sections, novice and senior. The novices then lined up for a mile race down the main Woodchurch - Birkenhead Road, and the seniors made a further loop of the country. W. J. Hinds, of Wirral A.C. won the novice mile fairly easily, being followed home by two Liverpool Pembroke A.C. runners, J. A. Handley and M. A. Hyman. The Wallasey runners in this event were not ready for such fast racing, and in any case had practically no experience of mile running. R. Hubbard finished in 16th place.
A good class field faced the starter for the senior mile race, which was run over the same course as the novice. In a fast start R. Eaton, of Liverpool Pembroke, led with J. Malcolmson, a Liverpool & District Senior Cross-Country champion, right on his heels. C. Weston, Wirral A.C., J. Byrne, Wallasey A.C., and T. J. O'Mahoney, Liverpool Harriers champion were all prominent. At the half-distance, however, C. Kelly had come through into the lead, closely attended by E. A. Gallagher of Liverpool H. and A.C., an outstanding mile performer, and J. Edwards, of Wallasey A.C.
These three runners then went right away from the rest of the field in a terrific burst, and the sprint for the tape started 200 yards out when Gallagher drew level with his formidable rival. Kelly, who won this race last year, was quite equal to the challenge and sustained a magnificent sprint to the finishing line, closely pursued all the way by Gallagher. Meanwhile Edwards had been moving along, at a fast pace some few yards in the rear and finished a very comfortable third. J. S. Arkless, of Wallasey A.C., on leave from Italy, ran exceedingly well to finish 8th in such good company. J. Byrne also of Wallasey A.C. excelled himself to finish 19th. C. Weston, Wirral A.C., captain, was 11th, Norman Jones, of Waterloo Harriers, former Northern Counties half-mile champion, was 12th, Malcolmson 15th and O'Mahoney 26th. At Wallasey Village there was a good turn out of juniors for the fourth week of the six weeks training course in cross-country running. New members were welcomed and we had the pleasure of seeing, G. F. Peers out with the club after six years.
Today the seniors and juniors will be out over the country for non-stop runs, in preparation for a club practice race before the first match of the season on November 17th against Liverpool Harriers.
New members may join at the club headquarters on Saturday afternoons. Those intending to run should be there at 2:30 prompt. A fast and a slow pack will separate those in training from novices. Subscriptions is 5/- over 21 years and 2/6 for those under 21. Application forms may be had at the club or from the secretary A. P. Watson, 63 Seabank Road, Wallasey.
The secretary will also be pleased to hear from old members and members who have changed their addresses and are therefore not receiving correspondence from the club.
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 03/11/1945
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