Wallasey Athletic Club break all past numerical records today at Warrington, where no fewer than five of the club's youths' and boys' teams contest the annual cross-country 4 x 1-mile relays.
Making his debut for the youth section will be Brian Knox, who will be part of a two-pronged attack in this age group. Another newcomer, Geoff Ambrose joins the boys' team for his first run.
In the under 14 age group or coIts as they have come to be known Wallasey have two teams entered here again new figures make an appearance in the club's colours.
The 'A' team will consist of 'old hands' Bob Brimage, Gary Fair, Paul Hughes and Phil Keating, whilst a completely new quartet of Les Bader, Stephen Daniels, Paul Holdsworth and Geoff Wickham make the scene as the 'B' team.
Last Saturday the Club sent three teams to Sale for the 3 x 1 ½ miles road relays and some good competition was experienced despite a strong cold wind which persisted throughout the afternoon.
Bob Brimage took first leg in the under-14 race and from 28 starters he returned in 18th place with a time of 7 mins. 35 secs. to his credit.
The second lap was allotted to Paul Hughes, who put in a good run of 7m 40s and picked up five places en route to hand over in 13th position to Philip Keating who held his place and also recorded his team's fastest time of 7m 27s.
Twenty-One teams lined up for the youths' race and Wallasey had a double interest in this event with two teams entered.
Colin Reiners and Phil Wealthy led off for the 'A' and 'B' teams respectively and returned in 18th and 19th places with only one second separating them in 6m 59s and 7 minutes dead.
The middle laps were taken by Johnny Jones for the 'A' team and John Horrobin for the 'B' team, and whilst the latter held his place with 7m 33s the former pulled back four places to 14th and recorded 6m 41s.
Because of the non-appearance of Les Watcham at the meeting point Wallasey were forced to enlist John Dowlan of Halifax into their 'B' team and he sportingly ran the last leg in 7m 8s thereby pulling back one place to give them a final placing of 18th whilst Dave Lockley 'hared' round the course for the 'A' team in 6m 30s, picking up two positions on the way, and brought his trio home in 12th place.
It is apparent that, following so closely upon the cross-country season, when runners train over much longer distances, the sudden drop in distance and the necessity to increase speed can be a strain on the individual and a challenge which he is not able to meet without sufficient speedwork in his background. This was evident last Saturday were runners were not capable of holding the fast pace set in the Sale event.
An opportunity to remedy this deficiency comes with the opening of the track season. Track work begins in earnest next Tuesday and Thursday evenings at the Lingham Lane track in Moreton at 7:15 p.m. when boys and girls for all events will be made welcome.
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 01/04/1967 by DISCOBOLUS
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