Wallasey Athletic Club last Saturday ran their Christmas Handicap from Leasowe Road Playing Fields, when twenty eight runners set off at intervals up Leasowe Road turning across Leasowe Common and returning by way of the embankment and shore.
As runners of known ability are always well pegged back by the handicappers this race is usually won by one of the earlier starters, but on this occasion senior Arnold Dinsdale ran through the field off one of the back marks to win fairly comfortably.
As last year, Bob Johnston was credited with the fastest actual time despite the presence this year of that most promising youngster Don Anderson. Although the distance was more suited to Anderson as a youth, Johnston, running from scratch, had wiped off his 15 seconds handicap by the time Leasowe Common was reached, and he continued to steadily overhaul the field to finish in third place with the fast time of 17 mins. 33 secs, for the 3/12 mile course.
Second place was occupied by Ray Scammell who seems to make a practice of beating the handicapper in this race almost every year. Other prominent placings were A. J. Anderson 4th, P. White 5th, and K. Tunstall 6th, all of the boys' section.
The runnings of the boys and youths won noticeably good and it would seem that Wallasey this year have some very promising athletic talent available.
Second and third fastest times were by Don Anderson and Arnold Dinsdale, who finished in 17 mins. 33 secs. and 18 mins. 44 secs. respectively, while other good performances were by Dave Standfast (19:20), Ray Scammell (20 mins.), and Eric Maddock (20:09).
After the race every runner finishing the course received a prize, which was awarded as usual by old friend and president, Mr. A. G. Nicholson.
This Saturday sees the holding of the club championships, which will be preceded by a club photograph at 3 p.m. prompt, with the championships following at 3.15 p.m.
The best race is expected to be the junior event over six miles as John Lynch, now in H.M. Forces, will be on leave to challenge Eric Maddock, Ken Ledward and Dave Standfast. These four runners are all of comparable ability and the finish should be very close indeed.
First place in the senior and youth events would appear to be booked for Bob Johnston and Don Anderson, but the fight for place positions should be every keen in both events.
Next Saturday the first of the major championships will be held at Runcorn when the Cheshire County Championships will be contested, Wallasey prospects will be reviewed in this column next week.
The coach will leave Seacombe Ferry promptly at 1:00 p.m. and friends and supporters willing to travel are asked to notify assistant secretary Bob McCaig (Tel. Wallasey 8904) as soon as possible.
In view of the influx of new boy members, this probably as a result of the increasing interest in the schools, it has been decided to stage a boys' championship on similar lines to the one already mentioned.
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 27/12/1952 by R.M.
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