In the H. S. Finney cross-country relay held at Preston last Saturday, Wallasey Athletic Club entered two senior teams.
The three-mile course, over which each of the four legs ran, was mainly flat but in the middle there were three short but extremely steep and muddy hills. These hills, up which nobody was able to run, we're the reason for the slow times.
John Wright, for Wallasey, finished the first leg in 19 mins. 30 secs. and handed over 9th position to Barrie Smith, who ran hit leg in 19:48, dropping back one place. Brian Woolford, the club secretary, pulled back two positions with a time of 19:04 and Alan Keating, quite at home on this course, completed the last leg in 19:41, gaining 7th place for Wallasey.
Mike Teahan ran the first leg for the 'B' team and finished in 22nd place, Doug Hanna lost one place, but Len Durkin gained five with a time of 20 mins. 24 secs. Ken Roscoe, in his first competition this season, gained yet another position and the 'B' team finished 17th.
Carl Gee, the club coach, ran in the first leg of the senior race and finished 24th with a time of 22 mins. 50 secs:
The boy's race was won by Tim Gregory, of Warrington. Mel Schless of Wallasey, came 4th, despite the fact that he had lost both his shoes when coming down the latter of the two hills in the 2½-mile race, Pete Lewis finished 21st.
In the youths' event, which was run over the same course as the seniors, Johnny Jones was 7th in 19 mins. 55 secs. and Steve Walker was 10th in 20 mins. 21 secs., while Phil Wealthy was 13th with a time of 20 mins. 52 secs. Both these events were individual races, not relays.
The usual, Christmas handicap for club members is being held this afternoon at the Wallasey Athletic Club H.Q. at 2.30 p.m. Each competitor is asked to bring sixpence entry fee and a wrapped prize, which will be pooled. The prizes will be chosen after the race, by the runners in order of finishing. A record entry is expected this year and spectators are welcome.
The club party will also be held today, at the Girl Guides' H.Q. in Leasowe Road, at 7.30 p.m.
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 17/12/1966 by CARLISLE
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