On Saturday last 260 athletes from all over the North and the Midlands congregated at Waterloo for the annual Waterloo Road Race staged Waterloo Harriers over a 6¾ mile course.
Included in the field was former world record holder for the mile in the person of Derek Ibbotson, as well many other runners of international repute. It was therefore most pleasing to see John Wright of Wallasey being well to the fore, throughout the race, and at one stage he was in third place behind Killeen of
Birchfield Harriers (an Irish international) and Sykes of Longwood Harriers, these runners beingfirst and second respectively in the final result.
With one mile to go Wright was in fourth place but was unable to maintain the pace and eventually finished fifth, this being a most creditable performance in a field of such class Pete White, after a very poor start, ran through the field to eventually finish in 22nd place, whilst Kevin Mather recorded what is probably his best performance to date to finish in 25th place, giving Wallasey a points total of 52.
This was sufficient to place them 6th in the open race classification, in addition to which they were the winners of the competition confined to Merseyside and District Clubs.
Of the other competitors Brian Woolford was not quite at his host, but Phil Townsend continues to show improved form as also do Chalton, Morris and Young. Ron Barlow finished the course but was obviously not at his best otherwise Wallasey's team position should have improved considerably.
Today, all members are requested to travel to the headquarters of Boundary Harriers at Old Roan where the third of the Liverpool & District League matches will be held. Competitors and supporters should meet at Exchange Station (under the clock) at 1:45 p.m.
In the scratch competition, Wallasey Athletic Club are the undisputed leaders after the first two matches, but the handicap competition is still open. Wallasey have a handicap total of 52, the nearest clubs being Port Sunlight A.C. with 13 pts., Waterloo with 34 pts., and Sefton harriers with 90 pts. It would therefore appear that provided Wallasey can maintain the form shown in the previous two matches, they will be winners of both scratch and handicap competitions.
On Saturday, November 28th, Wallasey Athletic Club stage the annual Wallasey Schools Cross-Country Championship and also an open race for youths. Any person interested in competing should contact the Cross-Country Secretary, C. R. Hewson at 44 Albion Street, Wallasey, who will be pleased to give full details.
To revert to track matters, it was pleasing to hear that Carl Gee had been successful in passing the examination to qualify as a A.A.A. Coach in throwing events with the exception of the hammer. No doubt his experience will be put to great use by the club in the future.
Weight training sessions under the direction of Carl Gee are now being held at club headquarters each Tuesday and Thursday evening.
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 21/11/1959
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