Last Saturday saw Kevin Mather, Ron Barlow and Brian Woolford all capture county titles in their respective events at the Cheshire County Championships, Mather won the mile, Barlow the three mile and Woolford the 20 miles.
In the mile, Bennett of Wirral A.C. was evidently intent on a fast race and Mather was content to be led around the first lap, completed in 60 seconds and the half mile was passed in 2 mins. 3 secs. when he took over to lead Bennett through three-quarters of a mile in 3 mins. 7 ½ secs. to win eventually as he was easing up in a time of 4 mins. 12.2 secs. which broke international Mike Beresford's championship record set up in 1960.
Forty-five minutes later Mather competed in the half-mile and ran a suprisingly aggressive race considering the short recovery period after his mile effort. Although he was beaten in the home straight by Ashe of Sale Harriers he recorded the good time of 1 minute 57 seconds against Ash's 1:56.
In the three miles there was some disappointment that Mike Beresford was not in the field as a great tussle had been anticipated between him and Wallasey's Ron Barlow, who immediately took the lead to lap steadily at 70 seconds per lap. This soon took him away from the field to win in a personal best time 13 minutes 55 seconds which removed yet another championship best performance from the record book.
As Wallasey Athletic enthusiasts know, Barlow has been in great form for the past six months and when one considers that his aim this summer is the marathon distance, this three mile time represents very fine running indeed. He must surely have a real chance of victory when with colleague Brian Woolford, he takes on the country's best milers in London today when competing for Cheshire.
Also running for Wallasey in the three mile race was Brian Chalton, who, after having a somewhat exploratory interest in the steeplechase , rather dampened at the water jump, ran a sound race to finish third with a time of 14 minutes 54 seconds.
Other noteworthy performances by Wallasey A.C. runners were by John Young who in finishing 5th position ran a personal best of 4 minutes 25 seconds in the senior mile, and Peter meldrum who finished second in the junior mile with a time of 4 minutes 38 seconds, while Tony Parry showed distinct promise in the junior 100 yards.
While these track championships were being contested in the pleasant surroundings of the new track at Cheadle and Gatley, road runner Brian Woolford was battling round the Pembroke 20-mile road race at Liverpool which incorporated both the Cheshire and Northern Counties championships for this distance.
As expected he again showed that in company with Ron Barlow he is going to be a power in long distance road running this summer. He finished second to A.A.A. marathon champion Ron Hill with a time of 1 hour 46 minutes 6 secs. which he achieved by a remarkable display of even pace running, as he completed the four 5-mile laps in times of 26 minutes 36 seconds; 26 minutes 33 seconds; 26 minutes 24 seconds and 26 minutes 33 seconds. In these long races the is more need for an even expenditure of effort than tactical running and if Woolford can apply this standard of performance to the longer marathon distance later this summer he is going to be up with the best in Britain at his event. From 14th position at the end of the first lap Woolford moved through to seventh at 10 miles, 4th at 15 miles and was only 80 seconds behind Hill at the finish.
Today sees the Inter-Counties Championships which are incorporated with the British Games at White City and athletics followers will surely wish the three Wallasey representatives Barlow and Woolford (20 miles) and Kevin Mather (1 mile), every success at this top level of athletics.
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 01/06/1963 by R.M.C.
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