Despite being drawn in the outside lane and having to clear hurdles that were three inches higher than he had been practicing over (due to a last minute change in the championship rules, which brought them to the international height of three feet) Wallasey's Alan Kin still managed to qualify for the final of the 440 yards hurdles in the A.A.A.'s junior and youth championships at Kirkby last weekend.
Alan was placed second in his heat in 59.3 and went on to improve to 59.0 dead in the final the following day, in which he was given fifth position.
With a deficit of 6 ½ seconds compared with his flat times, he will realise that his technique over the 'sticks' leaves much to be desired. However, these are early days for Alan as a hurdler and he could well reduce his times out of all recognition by next spring if he is prepared to work hard during the winter.
As there was no 440 yds. Race for the youths in the championships, Peter Lewis and Ian Wilson ran in the half-mile.
Peter found the going tough with a 61 second first lap and faded to finish in 2 mins. 8.3 secs., but Ian, drawn in another heat, ran a great race, going through the bell in 58.2 secs. and qualifying for the final in 2 mins. 0.6 secs., which beat his previous best by two seconds.
Unfortunately, Ian could not compete the following day because of a knee injury and his disappointment must have been greater when the final was run in a new British record time with the first six runners beating 1:59.
This once again shows the value of competing in quality events, something which Wallasey's athletes had tended to shy away from in the past.
If the weather is kind today, the will be a series of time trails, at the Lingham track, starting at 2:30 p.m. sharp, when those taking part at Warrington next Saturday will be able to prepare with races covering all distances from 100 yds. To two miles.
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 12/08/1967 by DISCOBOLUS
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