Despite the blanket of fog covering Merseyside on Saturday, Wallasey A.C. successfully ran off their club championships with the exception of the junior (18-21), which was declared 'no race' after the field had lost direction at about half distance.
The decision to run in such bad conditions was taken as if to confirm that cross-country runners are never daunted by weather or terrain; the contestants were all keen to make the best of things and avoid a postponement.
The races were run as scheduled except that the senior distance was reduced to 7½ miles. This race was won as expected by champion Bob Johnston in 50 min. 15 secs. and he was closely followed by Alan Clarke in 50:27, with Arnold Dinsdale in third place in 54:15. The sealed handicap was won by Harold Thompson, who showed welcome signs of a return to his old form.
The youth event also produced the expected result with Don Anderson running his usual powerful, race, to win in 16 mins. 45 secs. from Roy Parry , 17:06 and John Warden 17:11.
At the time the field went astray in the fog in the junior race, newcomer David Standfast was holding a joint lead with Eric Maddock, and it is clear that he will be a force to reckoned with when this race is run again on January 31. The club photograph intended for last Saturday has also been put forward to this date. The boys' championship proved the best race of the day when the first seven runners all finished within 20 seconds. After leading for most of the way, Alan Anderson younger brother of Don won in a time of 10 mins. 20 secs., only three seconds in front of Bill Farrell, with I. McIvor a close third in 10:32. The sealed handicap was won by T. Rollins. Today, Wallasey travel to Weston Point, Runcorn, for the Cheshire County Championships. Wallasey's best prospects are in the youth race in which the club will be defending both the team and individual titles won last year. Don Anderson will be all out to retain his individual championship and the team will be striving their hardest to bring the team award to Wallasey for the third year in succession.
Anderson will have spirited support from Roy Parry, John Warden, J. M. Greenhalgh, Colin Harris and Hugh Pritchard.
The senior race, will be over seven miles, when clubs will be represented by combined senior and junior teams. Wallasey's main individual interest will be in Bob Johnston, who should again finish comfortably in one of the first nine places and so qualify for another county representation.
Wallasey boys' team will be considerably weakened by the inclusion in this race of a Wallasey Grammar School team which includes several club members, but Ken Tunstall in particular should be well up.
Team and supporters, will travel by coach, leaving Seacombe Ferry at 1 p.m. and Birkenhead Town Hall at 1.15 p.m, Applications for membership will be welcomed by assistant secretary Bob McCaig, 30 Taunton Road, Wallasey (Tel. 8904).
R.M.
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 03/01/1953 by R.M.
Ref 1046