Wallasey Athletic Club travel to Wigan today for the first track fixture of the 1967 season and with 48 track events and 35 field events on the programme there would appear to be something for everyone to have a crack at.
In complete contrast the club members visit Foel Glap farm tomorrow for one of their periodic handicap runs over the 3-mile ''helter-skelter' course, in which age ranges from 11-year-olds to 'the not so young' and abilities cover an equal wide range.
Entry forms for both the women's and men's county championships are now available from Barbara Banks or Brian Woolford, and members are requested to enter early.
A particularly large entry is expected from Wallasey for the men's championships, which are to be held at Lingham Track on June 3rd, whilst the ladies have to travel to Alsager for a Tuesday evening meeting.
In a massive field of 56 teams, Wallasey placed their 'A' and 'B' teams in 29th and 43rd positions respectively in last Saturday's inaugural Warrington 4 x 3 ¾ mile road relay.
With star runners John Wright and Ron Barlow absent because of injuries, Wallasey relied on three juniors as support for international Brian Woolford in the 'A' team, whilst Mike Whiteside, ex-Grammar School cross-country captain and now at Nottingham University, surprised his team mates by putting up the fastest time for the 'B' team.
The race was started in a lane no wider than a good yawn and necessitated ranks five deep because of the numbers involved.
Barrie Smith and Len Durkin led off for the 'A' and 'B' teams, in company with some of the finest middle and long distance men in the country and Barrie returned in 37th place, having clocked 19 min 16 secs. with Len in 50th spot in 20:29.
Brian Woolford carried the club's colours on the 2nd lap and recorded a fast 17:55 which brought the 'A' team into 22nd place, and Mike Whiteside's 20:20 reduced the 'B' team's arrears by three places and left them in 47th position.
Alan Keating and Doug Hanna took the 3rd leg, and whilst Alan produced a 19:38 he could not prevent his team from slipping back to 25th. Doug gained one place, although running a slow 21:24 for the 'B' quartet.
By now, Derby, the National Relay champions, had established a firm hold over the race and although Ron hill put up a record 16:47 for Bolton on the last lap, he could only manage 3rd place for his team, with Manchester and District squeezing into 2nd place.
For Wallasey, Ken Rosso ran a 20:11 but fell back to 29th, with Mike Teahan, 20:54, gaining three places for the 'B' team to finish 43rd. Total times:- Derby 68 mins. 56 secs.; Wallasey 'A' (29th) 77 mins.; Wallasey 'B' (43rd) 82 mins. 7 secs.
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 15/04/1967
Ref 1441