Club Race Reports Season 1976-1977
Cross Country Championships
National - Parliament Hill Fields - 05/03/1977 - Senior Men
The National Cross-Country Championships held at Parliament Hill fields, London, had a total entry of 4,000 for the three titles: Youths, juniors and seniors, being contested. Wallasey had entered a youth team, the first for many years, which finished in 49th position out of the 141 teams entered, the third team in the West Lancashire area to finish. Kevin McGee youth captain, led his team home in a highly creditable 110th position.
Christmas Handicap
Christmas Handicap - Leasowe - 18/12/1976 - Seniors
The Wallasey Athletic Club Christmas Handicap held on Saturday last, attracted an entry of 37 runners, quite a high percentage of the active membership.
As a participant myself, it would be impossible to report on the race as it developed between the eventual winner and the rest of the field, so I will dwell on my own particular moments of splendour!
Three of us toed the line to start at 7 minutes 20 seconds, Susan Lloyd, Phil Ashley and myself, Doug Hanna. Ahead of us were some three miles and about 20 other runners. The false start by Sue provoked some comment and mumbles from around and I am sure that it was this that led to my defeat by her and not my state of unfitness.
Phil, being somewhat younger than myself, decided on making his move and soon opened a gap of some 25 yards.
On reaching the beach, the gap dwindled to some 90 seconds, a lon string of close-padded runners forming a winding chain across the bay between the two embankments. The rippled sand slowed down many runners and I found myself slowly, but surely catching and over-taking. A steep climb up the embankment and around 500m to go. The back counters, Pete Lewis, a guest runner and past member of the club, Bob Brimage and Rod Dixon, and a couple of others, had in their turn overtaken me at this point.
My congratulations to the eventual winner, Stephen D'Arcy, who as obviously feeling on top form on the day.
