Brian Woolford, Brian Chalton and Hugh Pritchard travelled to Sutton last Saturday for the annual 7-mile road race.
The field this year was much depleted, as many local clubs decided to compete instead in the Blackpool Road Relay event, which was being held a week earlier than usual. The lack of competition did not deter Woolford who set a cracking pace of below five minute miling and after the first lap of just over one mile the runners had spread out considerably. Three laps of two miles made up the remainder of the course of undulating road, but Woolford's tough pace did not slacken despite, the blustering wind which slowed many runners. At the end of the first two-mile circuit Woolford and E. Williams (Pembroke A.C.) were leading with Warriner and Highton (both Pembroke) in close attendance. On the .next lap Brian increased his pace to cover the lap in10 mins. 03 secs. and only Williams could stay with him. On a hill just after the start the fast pace finally told on Williams, who cracked Woolford went on to win in 35 minutes 26 seconds with Williams second in 36 mins.05 secs. and Warriner third in 36 mins. 44 secs. Brian Chalton ran a remarkably even rate to finish in 19th position, in 40 mins, 58 secs., Hugh Pritchard also ran well and finished 25th in 43 mins. 44 secs. Pembroke 'A' won the team race easily with 14 points ( 2, 3, 4, 5) Pembroke 'B' were second with 29 points and Warrington third with 73 points.
Kevin Mather received an invitation to compete Invitation 1,000 yard and 2 mile events at the indoor track at Wembley, during the Great Britain versus West Germany match.
The 1,000 yard race was televised on Friday evening and the field included John Wenk, an Olympic 800 metre representative at Rome. Because of the tight bends on this 145 yard track many athletes made a reckless rush for a good position on the first lap but as Derek Ibbotson has shown so effectively, it is not at all, necessary to have this dubious advantage. On his first visit to Wembley three weeks ago Kevin made this mistake in the one mile race, but in last week's race he demonstrated much better judgement and after two rather erratic laps settled down. The rest of the field, including Wenk were soon passed and Kevin went on to take second place behind C. Shillington, who won in 2 min. 15.5 secs. Mather recorded 2 mins. 17.1 secs. Both these times were faster than the winning time in A.A.A. Indoor Championships.
On Saturday, Kevin ran in the two-mile race and finished third in his fastest time of 9 mins. 18.2 secs. The race was won by Gerry North in 9 mins. 1.8 secs. with Alan Perkins second in 9 mins. 10.2 secs.
Today, the Port Sunlight Road Race is to be held. Kevin Mather won the event last year from Brian Woolford, but Woolford's speed and strength have improved so much in the last year that it is hard to see him being beaten.
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 14/04/1962 by P.W.C.
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