Wallasey Athletic Club's youths' relay team set a new record for the 4 x 1-mile event when they recorded 19 mins. 41 secs, (7 secs. off last year's time) at Lingham track last Saturday.
Despite a strong breeze, the three teams taking part set good pace on the first leg, with Dave Lockley and Barrie Smith leading on alternate laps and Mike Teahan struggling to hold them. The two former runners put in laps of 69, 71, 72 And 71 secs. to come in together sharing a time of 4 mins. 43 secs., with Teahan handing over in 5:10.
Steve Walker took up the race from Lockley and running steadily, clocked 5 mins. 4 secs., but this was not good enough to hold Alan Keating, who ran a personal-best 4:55 for the 'B' team to give them a lead of 9 secs. at 2 miles.
Les Watcham was now left well behind, having run 5:16 for the 'C' team and handed over to Mike Whiteside nearly a minute behind Walker, whilst Doug Hanna consolidated his team's position with 4:58 ahead of Mel Schless who recorded 5:04 for the 'A' team with Mike Whiteside returning the same time for the 'C' team.
Mike McNamee, for the 'B' team was now well established in the lead and it was left to Johnny Jones to deliver a sub 4:57 mile to break the record.
He set about the task with determination and reeled off laps of 69 and 70 to give 21 mins. 19 secs. for the half-mile and although fading to a second half in 2:31, still had 7 secs. to spare at the tape.
McNamee had gone through earlier in 4.56 with the 'C' team, being brought home by Dave Adair, who recorded 5:19.
Club captain Brian Woolford had earlier elected to run the four miles on his own and with pace judgment born of experience he put in miles of 4:57, 5:08, 5:10 and 5:12. This gave him a 2-mile time of 10:05 and a 3-mile of 15.5 with a total of 20:27 for the full distance.
There is no doubt that the strong wind blowing across the track was worth something like one second per lap to the runners and a windless attack at a later date should lower the record by
at least another 10.15 secs. with both Walker and Schless capable of sub-5 minute miles.
With at least a dozen of Wallasey's athletes travelling to Sale for today's Cheshire County Championship, prospects are difficult to assess; as most have entered for two or more events and a record entry is expected in the younger age groups.
The red shale track at Sale is a good one and fast times can be expected given the 'right' conditions.
Club members who can be expected to do well are Phyllis Edwards (ladies' long jump), Yvonne Broomhead (Intermediate 880 yds.), Mike Teahan (senior 440 yds.), Ian Wilson (youths' 440 yds.), Dave Lockley and Johnny Jones (youths' 1 mile) and Barrie Smith (senior 1 mile).
For those not competing at Sale, there will be the normal training facilities at Club H.Q. in Leasowe Road, and newcomers will be made welcome at 2 p.m.
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 21/05/1966 by DISCOBOLUS
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