Wallasey A.C. last Saturday travelled by coach to Blackpool, where the Northern Championships were contested over a flat course of grassland adjacent to Stanley Park.
As expected Wallasey's most successful athlete was in the senior men over nine miles when club captainn John Wright ran extremely well to finish in 8th position from a field of 300 runners which included several internationals.
On a muddy course churned up by the boys' and youths' events, Wright was straight in to his running and was soon to be seen disputing the forward positions with international Gerry North, Alan Cocking, Derek Ibbotson and John Anderson.
North, however, was at his brilliant best and soon pulled away with Wright and the other leading athletes running in close company for the first few miles.
At about half distance former national junior champion Alan Cocking and ex-world mile record holder Derek Ibbotson had laid claim to second and third place respectively, with international Craig of Blackpool and Anderson of Saltwell just heading Wright, who was in sixth position. Although Wright weakened slightly over the last few miles, he fought back with commendable determination to come home in 8th position in very warm company indeed.
Meanwhile Blackpool runner Gerry North on his home ground had won without a serious challenge, showing a complete return to form after his recent setback with influenza.
Second Wallasey man home at Blackpool was once again junior Brian Chalton, who this season has consistently been Wallasey's best supporting runner after club captain John Wright. Although this was perhaps not his best run of the season he finished in 54th position, which is an excellent performance, for a junior runner in such a major championship when the pressure in always on.
Of the 40 teams engaged, Wallasey finished in 10th position, their other counting runners being Brian Woolford (68th) Kevin Mather (112th) Pete White (128th) and Hugh Pritchard (139th). Of the Wallasey runners in the Boys' and Youth race only Peter Meldrum in the Boys' race had a good run, finishing in 48th position. Meldrum has shown great improvement over the past twelve months and his powerful stride and fighting spirit haver given him the best record amongst the Wallasey boys during this season's championships.
To-day there will be a club run from H.Q. at Leasowe Road, at 3 p.m.
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 04/03/1961 by R.M.C.
Ref 1250