Those who braved the biting wind on Saturday last witnessed some grand running when members of Wallasey Athletic Club contested their annual cross-country championships.
Rain had made the course exceptionally heavy and it was gratifying to find four boys in the boys' championship completing the course within 42 seconds of each other. The winner was David Woods, a strongly built runner who should do well in the future. He was followed home by a fast improving youngster, Ken Tunstall, with Roy Fishwick and John Anderson following closely on their heels. The winner finished in the good time of 15 mins. 22 secs. and Ken Tunstall deservedly won the sealed handicap prize.
In the youth race, a great battle ensued between Don Anderson and Roy Parry the former eventually winning by a margin of 11 seconds in a time of 18 mins. 46 secs. His win was confidently expected but the forward running of Parry, was most encouraging and both should be well placed in the future district championships.
Hugh Pritchard maintained his recent improvement to finish third in front of newcomer Colin Harris. The sealed handicap prize was won by Roy Parry.
The junior race was the best of the afternoon, when after six gruelling miles Eric Maddock, Bill Johnston and Ken Ledward finished in that order within 20 seconds of each other, the winner's time being 37 mins. 38 secs. Maddock deserved his success as it was only by very spirited running that he fought off the challenge of Johnston and Ledward, and also Winrow and Lynch, who both failed to produce the form we know they are capable of. The sealed handicap prize was won by K. Ledward running off the scratch mark.
The seniors faced up to the task of covering a nine mile course and Bob Johnston registered a good win in a time of 53 mins. 47 secs. Second was Alan Clarke who has this season proved himself to be a most capable runner and his success was fully merited. His time, only 2 seconds behind Johnston's, was one of the most pleasing features of the afternoon. In third place Eric Foster ran confidently to establish a 40 second advantage over club captain John Edwards who was followed home by Bob McCaig. Next came newcomer Harry Parkinson who impressed in leading home Arnold Dinsdale, who has recommenced running after an enforced lay-off due to
ill health. Others to finish the course were Jim Rimmer, Tony Dickinson and Ramsey Hewson.
Today W.A.C. runners Bob Johnston and John McFarland travel to York to represent Cheshire in the Inter-Counties Championships.
There will be a training run from club headquarters at 3 p.m. which will complete preparation for the Liverpool & District Championships to be held at Prenton on Saturday next.
The club Novice Weightlifting Championship has also been held and was competed for under the Austin formula of handicapping in relation to body weight. The winner was Geoff Joynson, 10 stone 9 lbs with 571 lbs (receiving 36 lbs), whose actual combined total for the press, snatch and clean and jerk was 535lbs. Which represents his best total to date. Second was A. Lilliot 8 stone 13 lbs with 543 lbs (receiving 108lbs) actual lift 435 lbs and third Jim McCulloch, 11 stones 3 lbs, with 537 lbs, (received 12 lbs) actual lift 525 lbs.
Applications for membership to assistant secretary to Bob McCaig telephone (Wallasey 8904) or vice captain Bob Johnston, 65 Bell Road.
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 19/01/1952
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