'Sale on Easter Monday', To competitors in the annual 8 x 1½ mile road relays, this meant a mixture of snow, sleet, heavy showers and sunshine as company on their circular run through the streets of Sale.
Seventeen teams lined up for the first race, the under 14's, and David Caw took the initial leg for Wallasey. Although this was David's first race he put up a creditable performance, and ran in 12th position with a time of 8 mins. 2 secs. On the second leg Mike Potter knocked 30 secs. off his last year's time despite losing four places and was clocked in at 7 mins. 39 secs. This left Ian Wilson a lot of leeway to make up and he set about it in no uncertain fashion, by pulling Wallasey up to 13th place and recording a magnificent 6 mins. 55 secs., to knock exactly 1 minute off his time for 1964 and give him the fastest lap
of the day in this age group.
In the second race Ray Kay led off for Wallasey with a total of 19 runners, and hopes were high when he returned in 6th place, having recorded 6 mins. 56 secs. Ray handed over to diminutive John Jones and in driving snow John put in an equally great run to pull Wallasey up to 2nd place and tie Ray's time with. Another 6 mins. 56 secs. Now Dave Lockley shot away on the last leg with a Liverpool runner 30 yards ahead, and Warrington's English schools' champion Buckley 50 yards to the rear. Dave put in a magnificent effort and came to within 12 yds. of the winner whilst putting up the second fastest time of the day, 6 mins. 48 secs.
In both races, Wallasey knocked about 2 minute off the total team times for 1964, and such running augurs well for the next cross-country season.
Training for the approaching track season is now well under way, and forms for the Cheshire Championships are now to hand.
Members, new and old, will be welcome at club H.Q., Leasowe Road playing fields, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday evenings 7 - 9 p.m, and Saturday 2 - 3 p.m.
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 24/04/1965 by DISCOBOLUS
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