Only a small number of local athletes were active over the Bank Holiday weekend, but they achieved a fair amount of success.
On Saturday, Kevin Mather, Ron Barlow, Brian Chalton and Bill Morris competed in the Pilkington's Recreation Club meeting.
The conditions were unfavourable for good times, as a strong wind blew over the exposed track. Mather and Chalton ran in the one mile handicap, and from the start the race was completely one-sided. Kevin took the lead after a furlong, and with laps of 61 secs., 64 secs.. and 65 secs, demoralised the opposition to such an extent that at one stage his lead was over fifty yards. Kevin eased up, however, winning comfortably in 3 mins. 51 secs. which is worth about 4 mins. 15 secs. Brian did not show among the leaders at all and obviously needs many hard miles of training behind him before he can hope for success.
Ron Barlow and Billy Morris elected to run the three mile race which had attracted a class field of runners including Colin Robinson. Gerry North and Mike Turner. Unfortunately the weather took a turn for the worst and it he began to pour with rain. Robinson won a fine race in 13 mins. 50.4 secs. with North second in 13 mins. 54.6 secs. Ron ran his fastest three miles this year with 14 mins. 27secs. and Bill recorded 15 mins. 8 secs. On Bank Holiday Monday, Brian Woolford, Ron Barlow and Billy Morris travelled to Leeds to compete in the Roundhay Gala Ten Mile Road Race. This race is an important feature of the gala, which attracts over thirty thousand people to see a programme of running and cycling.
The course is a gruelling one, with many hard long climbs in the one lap of ten miles, and several of the leading Northern clubs had entered, including Bolton, Longwood. Derby, Blackpool and Rotherham. The Wallasey boys ran magnificently however and collected third team prize behind Bolton with 25 points and Blackpool with 40 points. Brian Woolford exceeded all expectations by finishing third in 51 mins. 30 secs. behind two English internationals Gerry North (50 mins 21 secs.) and E Matley (51 mins. 0 secs.) Ron Barlow finished 8th in 52 mins. just behind Jack Haslam of Bolton another international. Bill Morris ran strongly to complete his first 10 mile race in 58 mins. 2 secs. and should be pleased with this performance considering the short time he has had for training and his youth. Undoubtedly the trio of, Woolford, Barlow and a fit John Wright would be a menace to the best in England over the long distance road race.
This Saturday, the extra programme of Cheshire Championships will be held at Port Sunlight starting at 2:30 and support will be welcomed.
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 12/08/1961 by P.W.C.
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