Despite the blanket of fog covering Merseyside last Saturday, Wallasey Athletic Club 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 only after some discussion, but 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.
Accordingly the rules were run as scheduled except, that the senior distance was reduced to 7½ miles. This race was run as expected, by champion Bob Johnston, in 50 mins. 15 secs., he was very closely followed by Alan Clarke in 50:27 with Arnold Dinsdale in third place in 54:15.
Eric Foster took an early lead, which he maintained for about two miles, but once Johnston took over at that point the issue was never in doubt, although Clarke held on most tenaciously to achieve what was probably his best performance to date. The sealed handicap was won by old friend Harold Thompson; who showed welcome signs of a return to his old form.
The youth race also produced the expected result with Don Anderson running his usual powerful race to win in 16 mins. 45 secs. from Roy Parry (17:16) and John Warden (17:11).
Roy Parry deserves the highest praise his effort in this race as he was ????
Although he was matching Anderson's pace on the flat he was losing ground on the rougher and hillier parts of the course, which was no doubt due to his impaired sense of balance. John Warden, in third place, also ran a very creditable race and is obviously a most promising athlete. The sealed handicap was won by Hugh Pritchard.
With regard to the abandoned junior race it is worthy of note that at the time the field went astray in the fog that newcomer Dave Standfast was holding a joint lead with Eric Maddock and it is clear that he will be a force to be reckoned with when this race is run again on January 31st.
The club photograph 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, led the way home with a time 10 mins. 20 secs., only three seconds in front of Bill Farrell, with I. McIvor a close up third in 10:32. This was indeed a fine double by the Anderson brothers, particularly as Alan was closely pressed throughout the race and resisted all attempts to overtake. The sealed handicap was won by T. Rollins.
This race once again emphasised the athletic potential in Wallasey at the present time.
This Saturday, Wallasey travel to Weston Point, Runcorn, for the Cheshire County championships when the club Will have teams in the senior, youths', and boys' events.
Wallasey's best prospects are undoubtedly in the youth race, in which the club will be defending both the team and individual titles won last year. Don Anderson will naturally 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 is running as well as ever and he must stand a very good chance of again leading the way in while in the team event he 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. The standard in this event is, of course, very high - Cheshire last year finished eighth in the inter-counties championships - but it is hoped that Wallasey's team will produce a creditable performance.
The individual race should duly be won by that great little runner Johnny Wilde, of East Cheshire Harriers, and Wallasey's main individual interest will be in Bob Johnston, who should again finish comfortably in the first nine places and so qualify for another county representation.
Wallasey boys' team will be considerably weakened through the inclusion in this race of a Wallasey Grammar School team which will include several club members, but Ken Tunstall in particular should be well up.
Team and supporters will travel by coach, which will leave Seacombe Ferry at 1 p.m. prompt, and Birkenhead Town Hall at 1.15 p.m.
Applications for membership will be welcomed by assistant secretary Bob McCaig,. 80 Taunton Road, Wallasey (Tel 8904).
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 03/01/1953 by R.M.
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