Today sees the start of the cross-country Championship season with the Cheshire Championships being staged at Arrowe Park. The first race will be the boys' race and will commence at 2:30 p.m.
In this race Wallasey must be considered to be in with a chance for a place. Main opposition will come from Sale Harriers and the very strong Ellesmere Port Grammar School. The individual winner is likely to be either T. Overington from Wirral A.C., or D Brennan, from Warrington A.C., Alan Bell, winner of Wallasey's Christmas Handicap race, together with David Burns and Robin Tarrant, are all expected to be well up with the leaders, The remainder of Wallasey's team will consist of L. Watcham, D. Adair and M. Wood.
In the youth race Wallasey have no team entry but two individuals have entered, namely H. Amis and B. Thackray and despite not having the support of a team both boys are expected to run well.
The main event the combined senior/junior race over 7 miles is where Wallasey's main hope for success lies. Last year in placing the first three men home and supplying five members of the County team, Wallasey won the team race.
However during the past twelve months Tony Townsend has left us to take up a teaching appointment in the South, but Roy Parry has returned after an absence of some years.
Ron Barlow will be endeavouring to repeat last year's individual win but will face strong opposition from Martin Cranny of Wirral A.C., Vickers from Barrow and Fozzard from Chesterfield. Wallasey's main concern for team honours will be provided by local rivals Wirral A.C., but with the festive season now over and all team members training hard morale and hope are high in the Wallasey camp.
Backing up Barlow in the quest for honours - will be international marathon runner Brian Woolford, Kevin Mather who was runner-up to Barlow in last year's race. John Wright, now fully recovered from illness, Brian Chalton, John Young and Roy Parry. Members who have been notified to act as either stewards, marshals or course markers are requested to report to Arrowe Park by 2:00 p.m.
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 04/01/1964 by STEPTOE
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